Little Squirt
What do you do when you are confronted with a barrage of sperm donation adds on social media and it’s the COVID lockdown? You have nothing else to do so why not go ahead and do it?
Little Squirt is the award-winning comedy cabaret about the process of sperm donation, featuring all original songs by musical comedian, Darby James.
After clicking a Facebook ad in Melbourne’s final lockdown, Darby James sets sail across the seas of queer existential mayhem. He explores the process of procreation and considers his choices of being a potential father without entering into a relationship.
James has crafted an hour’s entertainment about a topic that fascinates us all, but are reticent to go any further than to read about on the web. He turns an seemingly taboo topic into a personal account that anyone can identify with and enjoy.
Dressed in white shorts, a blue and white tank top and a sailor’s (or is it ‘seaman’s’) cap and only a ship’s wheel draped with a net for a set, James presents a highly entertaining 60 minutes of stand up and song about a topic that is rarely explored in a comedy setting.
His songs are full of puns and clever rhymes, outling the clinical process of sperm donation - filling out online forms, going to numerous appointments and considering the ethical dilemma of ‘having children’ into a musical adventure complete with sea shanties, ballads, rap, and some parlando, all humorous and cleverly written.
The script is eloquent and outrageously funny at the same time with song titles including, ”Think what you’re passing on”, “Vulnerable”, “A generous thing” and “If I were Dad”.
I was impressed with James’ ability to engage his audience on his journey, particularly the singalong sections and the spontaneous mobile phone torch waving.
Special mentions should go to the lighting design and the technical support. They are an integral part of the production.
Little Squirt is an intelligent and astute take on the experience of sperm donation as a gay cis man in the 21st century and the ethical dilemma of passing on your genetic makeup to future generations. Most of all, it is a marvellous hour of mirth and fun!
Barry Hill OAM
Photographer: Claudio Raschella
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