Smut Slam is a raucous celebration of sex in all it's glorious, awkward and heart-warming forms. Beginning in 2011, a normal Smut Slam is an open mic night with a deliciously dirty twist: those feeling brave enough in the audience are invited to divulge in the telling of a personal sex story. For this run in Brighton, courageous Fringe performers have been roped-in to tell their delicious secrets with the addition of different variety acts every night.
The main rule is what happens in Smut Slam stays in Smut Slam so you'll have to explore this scandalous night of frivolity for yourself
Unfortunately, on the night I attended the cabaret section was rather lacklustre. Alongside the storytellers our act was a singing drag queen. Congratulations must be given for her stunning outfit and interaction with the audience, but alas, her singing left something to be desired, resulting in the performance being a little mediocre.
Although the promise of a knock-out cabaret was broken, Smut Slam must be forgiven as it delivered on every other element you could possibly wish for from a show about sex. The night began with the audience being handed pieces of paper on which to disclose our saucy secrets or to ask a burning question. These were placed into the gloriously named fuck bucket and read out sporadically throughout the show. We were all also given a badge loudly declaring that we ‘love anal’ and one, rather ecstatic audience member even won a butt plug! A butt plug!
Our vivacious host, Cameryn Moore, began by telling us Smut Slam's goal is to create a space where anyone, with any type of body, can talk about any type of sex. Stories must not be sexist or derogatory and must be about consensual sex. It was so refreshing to hear consent, such an important issue, being included in a show like this.
Another revolutionary act was the acknowledgment of bigger, older women as sexual beings, as mainstream media will often have us believe that sex is something that only concerns the young and skinny. It is so important for a show like this to be inclusive and as a queer kid, it was really affirming to see myself reflected on the stage.
The main rule is what happens in Smut Slam stays in Smut Slam so you'll have to explore this scandalous night of frivolity for yourself. Sadly, the fringe run is over, but Brighton is lucky enough to have a regular Smut Slam on the third Sunday of every month.
