by Ed Fortune
Laser Webber (aka Laser The Boy) is best known for being one-half of The Doubleclicks, the American Geek-Folk band that sings songs such as Spock Impersonator, Lasers and Feelings, and Clever Girl. Laser is a trans-man, and A Shark Ate My Penis: A History Of Boys Like Me, is a one-person musical about historical trans-men and Laser’s own personal story, accompanied by plenty of jokes and lots of geeky humour.
Laser is a charming and deeply funny chap, and their story is a careful balance of personal journey, interesting examples of trans-men in history and sci-fi tropes (including an LGBTQ+ TARDIS, or as we like to call it, a TARDIS). The show’s fundamental message is a thing that all reasonable and well-informed folk already know; trans people have always been here.
This is not a TED talk. However, it’s a comedy show/stand-up routine, and like all good comedy, it’s deeply personal and incredibly funny. The intimacy of Laser’s journey is presented in such an everyday way that the show, at times, just feels like a very intense yet hilarious chat with a witty stranger, all be it a one-sided one.
There are songs, of course, and we open with The Doubleclick’s song No Easy Way To Say This, which is about saying no to boys who ask you out to prom. Which was written and performed many years before Laser’s transition and sets the mood for the show. There are other carefully placed tunes throughout the show, with the musical pieces used sparingly enough so as not to break the flow of the narrative.
A Shark Ate My Penis: A History Of Boys Like Me is a must-watch show and a story that a great many need to really listen to. Simply marvellous.
A Shark Ate My Penis: A History of Boys Like Me is showing at the Edinburgh Fringe until the 28th. Tickets can be found here. Laser’s Website can be found here.
