Aaron Simmonds: Hot Wheels

Exploring the positives of having a disability, meeting ‘Jesus’, and the able-bodied using his wheelchair, Aaron Simmonds is hysterically funny and puts on a great show.

Aaron Simmonds: Hot Wheels

Simmonds starts by explaining the name of the show. ‘Hot Wheels’ was the nickname given by a one night stand after she couldn't remember his name when saving his number. But while Simmonds thinks this name is ‘cool’, it makes him question what his disability means to him. When he tells the audience the name her workmates gave her after spending the night with him, the audience gasps in horror. 

Through stories about his experience, he makes the audience empathise and laugh with the struggles and joys of having Cerebral Palsy and using a wheelchair. He’s charming and funny and silly, and so great at making his stories entertaining by adding layer after layer of humour. His stories seemed so wild at points that it was hard to believe, but the punchline always landed. 

I loved hearing about the antics of his brother and dad trying to sneak into the Paralympics as much as I liked the more heartfelt section where Simmonds explored what it means to be disabled. It was the thoughtful, mature kind of reflections we all have when coming to terms with our identities. 

His main message during the last half of the show was disproving common assumptions about people who use wheelchairs – but I don’t want to spoil too much. He’s the perfect act for learning a little bit while still having a laugh. There’s so much on at the Fringe, and watching ‘Hot Wheels’ will certainly be good use of your time: you’ll leave with a smile on your face.  

Header Image Credit: Steve Ullathorne

Author

Sadhana Narayanan

Sadhana Narayanan Contributor

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