Eleanor O'Brien

I saw this show on the opening night of fringe and I'm still thinking about it 4 days (and several shows) later. The premise is fascinating - the show is hosted by Juice the Trauma Clown, who begins the show by letting the audience know they are safe, they are loved, and that "Everyone is fucked up." Then Josie takes the stage and shares their story - and it's brutal. It's an absolutely gut wrenching account of sexual assault- but told so beautifully (it's weird to say that, but its true. They are an exceptional storyteller) you couldn't help but be riveted. They are followed by storyteller Beth Marshal (I believe the storytellers are different at every show?) who tells a story of an interacial romance discovered by a racist father and the resulting assault. Again - brutal. Stomach turning. But in the hands of a master storyteller, powerful and effective. We hung on every word. The tension and mood are lightened between stories by Juice reading audience shares, and that was a welcome pallet cleanser. Ultimately the message of the show is that we all experience trauma, and that expressing it is healing and necessary. (I bought a Fuck Shame sticker). It's a powerful reminder of how we need community to hold our stories, and that no one should suffer alone. While it's not a "good time I laughed til I cried" kind of show, it's a "sticks with you for days afterward, and the message resonates in powerful ways" kind of show.

A really brave show. This young woman has created a powerful show about a gut wrenching experience - full of bravado and heartbreak. Moving and beautiful.