It’s with no doubt, Darby James’ latest work has enjoyed the success it deserves. Previously titled Spunk Daddy, it has garnered serious interest and a series of awards including Best Cabaret at the 2023 Melbourne Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh Touring Award.
Only this week, it received 3 Green Room Awards including Outstanding Production, Outstanding Direction – Casey Gould, and Outstanding Writing – all in the Cabaret Category.
Retitled Little Squirt, James’ work has been given another outing as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, before heading to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.
Little Squirt follows James’ personal journey as sperm donor after clicking on a Facebook ad during Melbourne’s final lockdown. Through a series of songs James finds the moral fortitude to question the notion of procreation and parenthood from an unlikely beginning from a gay cis male perspective.
Considering its source material, Little Squirt could have easily ventured down the path of lewd and ribald clichés for cheap laughs. What we get is a work that is not only intelligent, but draws its strength from a base of vulnerably and moral conundrums. Featuring a variety of musical styles, each song is delivered with level of heartfelt honesty.
Director Casey Gould guides the work with a purposeful intent, focusing on establishing a heartfelt connection between the material and the audience. With a nautical theme, Betty Auhl’s design is simple, with James dressed as seaman, set amongst a number of props that included a ships wheel, ropes and a treasure chest. All the elements come together to deliver a very satisfying work.
Darby James is a performer on the rise. Little Squirt is the perfect showcase of what is yet to come from this highly talented performer and group of creatives.
LITTLE SQUIRT
Bagging Room – Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank
Season continues to 21 April 2024
Information and Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com.au
Image: Darby James in LITTLE SQUIRT – photo by Lucinda Goodwin Photography
Review: Rohan Shearn