"Boys' Club", created and performed by Alick Mac, is an examination, and critique, of modern masculinity through rap music and literature, addressing the manosphere, abuse, and more through Mac's original music. While an exciting premise, the show could use some message editing to become the best version of itself it can be.

Throughout, Mac is a very likeable performer. He performs with a genuine energy, and a clear care for everything he speaks about. He is relatively new to the Fringe circuit, but has no struggle with endearing an audience to him. The audience can feel what the show means to him, which makes it mean more to us too.

For the material, there are some strong subjects addressed. As mentioned, his songs deal with the current state of masculinity in the world as he critiques both the patriarchy and how men uphold it, and are subsequently harmed by it too. There's a particularly strong, emotional number where he imagines a text exchange between two men who are afraid to be honest with each other in fear of "looking weak". However, as a whole, his message is a little bit undercooked. There are some well picked book passages, from Bell Hooks and Liz Plank, but overall the understanding of modern gender roles (admittedly, a complicated topic) still feels introductory. There are some well written lyrics, and well-performed too, though not quite complex enough to be saying something new about modern masculinity, or even something not already generally understood, especially from a female perspective. While I didn't find myself disagreeing with anything he said, I didn't find myself learning anything either. If you're relatively aware of modern issues, you're likely also aware of most of what Mac speaks about. Often, the show has a tendency to over-explain as well, giving an almost after-school special feel to the production. The moments where Mac delves into personal anecdotes, and allows the songs to speak for themselves, are the most compelling moments, and future iterations of the show could be benefited by leaning into that approach more.

As a whole, the show had a unique approach, and a promising exhibit of a newer Fringe artist. While some fine tuning would bring this show to the next level, there are strong messages included that could truly hit for the right audience members.

BOYS CLUB' AT THE WALTERDALE THEATRE. TWO SHOWS LEFT.

Andrea Noga, Alberta Youth Theatre Collective.