Daniel Foxx comes to the Fringe with a full-length show for the first time and a TitTok reputation under his belt for sharp, knowing character-based clips. Villain, however, is very much Daniel's own story, told through a mix of music and anecdotes. It's as spiky as the platinum blond devil horns he has fashioned out of his hair and very funny.
Foxx's hour is about being gay, facing down homophobia and fighting prejudice, with plenty in it that anyone who grew up in the noughties should relate to. It helps if you have a good working knowledge of animated films and cult TV but that should probably be almost everyone in his age demographic: "My grandma describes herself as being in her 'twilight years' which I love because they’re great films."
The sarcastic theme, hence the show's title, is that homosexuals are bad. "It's the gays who are evil," says Foxx with a sardonic smirk. He talks about an older relative who says that they "hate poofs" but likes to watch Elton John on TV.
Foxx knew he was gay from an early age and at school learnt to tackle the bullies and their "bums to the wall" taunts. One of the things that gave him strength was the fact that he saw so many LGBTQIA+ characters in movies, whether they were written that way or not. Foxx sees queerness in their clothes (look out for capes), their songs and the fact that they often had the best lines. He suggests that Ursula The Sea Witch in The Little Mermaid was inspired by drag queen Divine plus added tentacles.
Last year Leo Reich was a breakout Fringe star with a words-and-music show about gender and narcissism. Foxx's show is more – no pun intended – straightforward and homes in on gags rather than anything too arch or high concept, but in its own way is stronger.
His crowdwork is also very good too, making sure he picks out the right people, not too shy, not too attention-seeking, particularly when he is asking who was cast in what role in school nativity plays. Still early days for Foxx, but Villain is an excellent way to kick off what is sure to be a glittering career, with or without a cape.
Until August 27. Tickets here.
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four stars
