S.E. Grummett discusses the absurd, accessible “one-two punch” of their award-winning show “Something in the Water”

October 21, 2023October 22, 2023 Arpita Ghosal

Watch out, Toronto. There is Something in the Water.

S.E. Grummett (Grumms) and Scantily Glad Theatre are bringing their transformative fringe show Something in the Water to Toronto’s Buddies in Bad Times Theatre as part of the Next Stage Theatre Festival, running now until October 29, 2023. Directed by co-creator Deanna Fleysher (Butt Kapinski), the story sees Grumms transform into a squid monster – a secret identity they must hide by disguising themselves as a “normal human woman”. The multimedia solo show is an absurd and accessible exploration of gender that is inspired by Grumms’ own experience coming out as transgender non-binary.

Grumms hails from Treaty 6/Saskatoon, but has spent the past five years performing on the road. “Which means I don’t really live anywhere,” they quip, adding “I love telling stories, and theatre lets me do that.” Grumms’ artistic journey has been characterized by identity-affirmation and empowerment: indeed, their desire to see more acting opportunities for queer and trans individuals prompted them to take matters into their own hands. “Self-creation was, and continues to be, a way out: a way of being myself and my gender onstage.” And as a self-proclaimed, “theatre rat at heart,” they dabble in all aspects of the theatre-making process, “whether it’s sound design, writing a budget, or staying up until the wee hours of the night to hot-glue some puppet shoes”.

Puppets, you ask? Yes, Something in the Water is a unique storytelling experience that blends live-feed video, physical comedy, and puppets (designed by Mind of a Snail). Puppets played a crucial role in Grumms’ personal journey of self-discovery because they never felt connected to the female roles they were cast in as an actor. It was only when they started performing a show with puppets that things really started to fall into place, gender-wise: “I got to perform every gender under the sun, and realized, ‘Hey, maybe I’m not a woman’. Now I love puppetry as a way of exploring and extending beyond my body and the way an audience perceives it.”

Grumms, a white non-binary performer with blue hair stands in front of a
screen in an orange bathing suit. On the screen, hand drawn images of a men’s and women’s
toilet doors are projected. They stand between the two doors, staring out at the audience. The
lighting is dim, pink and spooky. — S.E. Grummett, Something in the Toronto (photo by Jaz Anderson)

In Something in the Water, Grumms consciously uses humour as a tool for transforming challenging experiences and emotions into a compelling narrative. “Turning my experience coming out as trans into an absurd and comedic metaphor allowed me to gain some distance and a fresh perspective,” they explain. “And I think it creates a more enjoyable experience for my audience too: we can all laugh at how ridiculous it is that my squid monster has to dress itself up in high heels and run away from an angry mob.” Even better, laughter can be disarming, even healing: “If I can make you laugh, then I’m one step closer to having you see from my perspective.” That said, Grumms acknowledges the delicate balance between entertainment and vulnerability in a one-person show like Something in the Water. But comedy is a “wonderful Trojan horse . . . Great comedy can make an audience let their guard down, like a one-two punch. One minute you’re laughing, the next you’re feeling, and the next it makes you think.”

The show’s Toronto premiere follows its international and highly lauded tours across Europe, the UK, and Australia, including a critically-acclaimed run at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe and a Best Theatre Award at the 2021 Adelaide Fringe Festival, where it beat out almost 1,000 other shows. The positive reception and acclaim that Something in the Water has garnered resonate deeply with Grumms. “The show has been around the world and been performed for young and old – I’m always amazed at how it can cross cultural and generational differences,” they marvel.

Grumms sees the show’s international success as a testament to “how much audiences are craving queer stories, trans stories, and deeply personal stories of joy, resilience, and acceptance. It’s so important right now to see trans stories being told by trans folks, especially weird and funny ones.”

Grumms, a white non-binary performer stands in front of a small camera
with their arms overhead. They have gloves and gills to look like a sea monster and are wearing
an ill-fitting red dress. Their face is re-projected on a screen behind them, only very large and
upside down. The lighting on stage is dim and spooky. — S.E. Grummett, Something in the Water (photo by Brianne Jang)

Looking ahead to the future, Grumms and indie music icon Rae Spoon are in the process of developing a Theatre for Young Audiences, under-the-sea puppet musical that is set to premiere next year. Additionally, they and their partner Sam Kruger are gearing up for a significant tour of their new duo show Creepy Boys.

Something in the Water is on stage until October 29, 2023 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, as part of the Next Stage Theatre Festival. Visit fringetoronto.com for tickets.