Review: boobytrapped, Fringe 2026

Boobytrapped is dark comedy in which a cis-man, Kevin, and a trans-man, Simon, body swap as they near hooking up at the gay bar. Kevin, has a negative reaction when he learns that his hookup for the night is actually trans. 

The show explores difficult subject matter, often through a humorous lens, which adds to the intensity of the darker moments in the play.

Setting the scenes

The show used a small number of props, but did so effectively. A combination of props and lighting set the scene, whether it be in the gay bar, Simon’s bedroom or elsewhere. Clearly a lot of thought has gone into how to use these devices in a convincing manner that draws the audience into the scene. Sound effects add to the mood and help propel the story along. 

‘I’m not transphobic, I just don’t want to fuck you’

This is a sentiment so many members of the community are familiar with. Too regularly folk don’t realise that what they’re saying or how they’re behaving is actually transphobic, or how their words and actions affect the other person. Despite his protestations, Kevin seems repulsed at the idea of having sex with a trans-man, which reveals his underlying bigotry. 

Initially after the body swap, Kevin thinks that Simon ‘tricked’ him into swapping bodies so that Simon can live in a body that fits his gender. However, the gender euphoria that Simon might’ve felt is massively overshadowed by the dysphoria Kevin is feeling. 

Through the body swap, Kevin is forced to deal with the body dysphoria that many trans- and non-binary people feel constantly. One of the most powerful scenes in the play is when Kevin, in the body of Simon, bares his chest to the audience while having a breakdown over the fact that he has boobs. The scene was visceral and intense, and made me well up. Simon comforts Kevin and helps him to navigate the day in his new body. This level of care and understanding is a reflection of reality; people who have lived experiences of what it means to be trans shepherd others through the process of coming to terms with their own identity. 

Stand like a man!

Throughout the play, the concept of what it means to be a man is explored. Kevin’s family aren’t accepting of him as a gay man, and essentially have a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy. His father has strong opinions of what it means to be manly, and Kevin tries and fails to live up to these expectations. Despite being his assigned gender, he still struggles with his masculinity.

The play does a great job of highlighting the shared experiences of trans and gay men, and how both of these groups struggle with traditional gender stereotypes, albeit in different ways. It also show us that being a part of a marginalised group does not prevent you from being bigoted. Even if you’re part of the lgbtq+ community you can still have some kind of -phobia or -ism. 

Kevin gains insight into the trans experience, and ends the play with more empathy towards not only his new friend, but the trans community as a whole. 

Totes emosh

The developing relationship between Kevin and Simon feels genuine, and this is developed through excellent, emotive acting, with plenty of physicality between the two characters. There were a few moments where the acting felt a little awkward, or one of the actors needed a prompt to remember their lines; however the acting was strong where it mattered.

Overall, boobytrapped is a perfect show for the Fringe, and is certainly a must-see in my opinion.