ED FRINGE 2023 REVIEW | Baby Steps, Aaron Simmonds
★ ★ ★ ★
Reviewer - Jordan
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
Aaron Simmonds returns to the Fringe with his new show Baby Steps, a show he created with one simple goal in mind, to deliver the eternity of the 1 hour show standing up. White this may be a simple goal, it is by no means an easy one for Aaron, as he has cerebral palsy.
You might also be surprised to learn, as Aaron tells us during the show, that the decision to do this performance on his feet wasn’t as a way to raise awareness for the condition, or as a challenge for himself. No, like all the best ideas, this one came about through spite. Aaron very cheerfully informs us that while doing a show in his home town he witnessed a ticket office staff member refer to him as “the comedian” while miming pushing the wheels of a wheelchair, this fuelled Aaron to create this new show solely so he could see how the same staff member might refer to him this coming year.
I very much enjoyed Baby Steps, the humour was great, and Aaron does a fantastic job of showing us exactly what day-to-day life is like for someone with cerebral palsy, from setting world records in powerlifting to having both his grandmothers touch his dick at his brother’s wedding, to finally coming to terms with his sexuality and realising he would really like to try sucking a dick.
The show is a rollercoaster filled with constant laughs, my only complaint was that Aaron did stumble on a few of the jokes, losing his train of thought, but he recovered beautifully, and I can hardly hold this against him as he very honestly shared that this show is the most exhausting things he has ever done (and as mentioned before, he set a world record in powerlifting, so I believe him).
If you get the chance you should definitely go and check out Baby Steps or catch Aaron at one of his future shows. And to Aaron himself, I hope you eventually manage to suck that dick, we’re all rooting for you.
At Pleasance Courtyard until 28 August.
