Manboy

Manboy, presented by Louis King is nothing short of spectacular.

Many people claim to be born for the stage, but Louis has truly built his stage (not literally). His story of identity through years of adversity is gripping, and has the audience laughing, crying, and nodding wistfully in equal measure. It dives deep into serious subjects, but is balanced perfectly with a level of self-awareness, self-deprecation and Millennial mannerisms that this reviewer can but desparately cling on to at his age.

Louis' set is packed with seriously catchy songs and the kind of engaging content that can only be honed from years of Twitch streaming, all of it built on a foundation of extraordinary talent. Songs of love, mental health and videogames from a YouTube persona, whilst an accurate description, and perfect for the algorithms, sells Manboy painfully short.

Part cabaret, part therapy session, part life affirmation - Manboy is a show that is so much greater than the sum of its parts. If you want to see an Edinburgh basement transformed into a launching pad for bigger things (the drinks are decent in The Street too), then this really is the show for you. This is more than just Free Fringe - it is Liberating.

Quite often, the most truly amazing shows are ones most might not know even exist, purely because the creator is just starting out. Louis' ManBoy is one such show. It takes you through a journey of Louis' own struggles with gender identity, relationships and the embarrassing things a lot of us do when we're younger with a series of very catchy and funny, and sometimes sad but powerful songs.

It's a show you'll never forget, and one that might just change your life.

Louis is a genius; seeing this multiple times and every time is better than the last. He brings a beautiful combination of heart-wrenching storytelling and amazing comedy. The tears are coming... but from laughing or crying, that is hard to say. This is what true honest performances are all about

The entire spirit of the Fringe is taking a punt on a basement backalley venue on a performer who shone through via word of mouth and the determination in their eyes. Doing so will mean you will undoubtably find diamonds in the rough.

Louis King's Manboy is such a gem - hidden at times through the performer's unitententional self-deprication and past trauma, but one that shines all the more brightly for it. Listen to a selection of songs, stories and the odd poem or improvisation that tells a story forged through gender identity, trauma and strength. It will be one of the best hours you ever spend at the Fringe.

Louis invites you to share a short peek into his life with both laughter and tears to find along the way. He has a natural knack for telling stories and writing songs that will have you captivated.

In between important songs (really flipping catchy songs too) about finding yourself and painful-sometimes life changing experiences there are also songs that cover frustrations of modern technology and the embarrassing remnants of your teenage years after you found the internet... we've all been there.

I found myself relating to a lot of his struggles in a way I myself haven't been comfortable enough to explore, but Louis made it feel like a safe and comfortable venue to consider and feel those emotions whilst always keeping the mood flowing naturally.

I left the show smiling a lot, feeling like I'd seen just a peek into a wonderful and brave human's life and by extension learned about my own struggles and how to be open about them too.

Also I cannot get the tunes out of my head (I did say they were catchy!)