Toronto Fringe Review: 2 Robs, 1 Cup: What Happens When You’re Done Eating Shit?

Vikki Velenosi

2 Robs, 1 Cup: What Happens When You’re Done Eating Shit? is not nearly as gross as the title makes it sound. At least, not in terms of bathroom humour. Instead, we are treated to a highlights reel of some of the worst boyfriends performer Vikki Velenosi has had. These boyfriends may be considered gross, to put it mildly. The shit is metaphorical and there is a lot of it. 

Between 90s pop culture references, Britney Spears songs, and an old sex ed jingle, Velenosi tells us about Rob #1 and his episodes of rage, which he assures her are brought on by blood sugar crashes and can be fixed with cookies; a second boyfriend that is not named Rob but who is nonetheless pretty shitty due to his own slew of childhood trauma that he refuses to go to therapy for; and finally, Rob #2, who is less shitty but still ends up shitting on her in the end.

This show is a roller coaster that can give you emotional whiplash. It can go from “haha how funny and relatable” to “oh shit that’s really serious” in a split second. Even though the subject matter is something generally considered serious, the show is very fun. Velenosi is a high-energy and engaging performer. Her use of physicality and costume keeps each part of the story feeling new and exciting.

The show provides good insight as to why people stay in abusive relationships, how they justify their partners’ behaviour to themselves, and why leaving isn’t as simple as it sounds. Velenosi talks about how her bad experiences taught her a lot and how her undiagnosed ADHD contributed to her staying in these kinds of relationships.

2 Robs, 1 Cup is an open, honest conversation about relationships and self-worth, as well as a silly and quirky one woman show with a lot to offer.

2 Robs, 1 Cup: What Happens When You’re Done Eating Shit? is on now until July 16 as part of the 2022 Toronto Fringe Festival. Find show times and tickets here.