Boys’ Plays at Above the Stag, Victoria

Opening night of two homo-erotic dramatic plays at the bijou (seating for about 60) theatre in Victoria and I’d recruited one of my gay mates to come along to help me with any of the (ahem) technical details.

We grabbed a bite to eat nearby and enjoyed a drink in the lovely bar downstairs in The Stag – even though the outside areas are dominated by the current construction works. The majority of those around us definitely had more in common with him than me.

The first play – lasting just an hour – was called “Boys’ Play” by Jack Heifner featuring dark haired Alexander Pritchett and blonde Matt Brinkler (Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, Rockstar Academy as well as the single “Unbreakable”). It’s about two 15 year old lads camping out in the woods initially just doing what lads do (swearing, drinking, larking about, telling spooky stories) and then with more surreal developments.

There were a few angry exchanges where the dialogue was quick fire and good – and the delivery excellent – with some credible emotions. There was an underlying tension about the nature of their friendship and whether it would progress to something more. So the actors did well.

We suspected that the playwright wasn’t as in touch with today’s lads as he could be (I have a 19 year old so I feel reasonably well qualified) – and the giveaway “50 friends on Facebook” clinched this view for my friend who bemoaned the lack of modernity.

There were also some rather mature reflections and insights from Matt’s character. During the interval I tried to suggest that the play was actually an allegory of a young man struggling with his sexuality knowing that once he accepted it there would be no going back to his old life. But I’m afraid my friend responded that it was, and I quote, “a pile of adolescent tripe”.

We returned for the next play “Extra Virgin” by Howard Walters to find the actors already simulating sex on a bed – I admired the neat touch of a “WatchMen” poster above them while my friend did a technical analysis of the act in progress, immediately picking up on the tee shirt issue. The actors were Kane John Scott as Noah and Freddie Hogan (Two pints of lager, Blood Brothers) as Elliot. The latter was particularly appreciated by my friend. Be warned that there are nude scenes.

There were a good few laughs as the seemingly common interaction unfolded with good gags about nationalities and skinny boys. The dialogue flowed more easily and we felt a connection with the actors. Then it took a turn and felt a little like accelerated therapy - touching on some difficult topics - but with fabulous expressions of a variety of powerful outbursts. These characters and their stories and the plot were much more convincing. We both agreed that it was a shame that it was condensed into an hour and would have probably have been even better if allowed to unfold at a more relaxed pace.

So, well worth a visit – it’s on until 16th October – but make sure you stay for the second play. I also liked the sound of forthcoming “My big fat gay Italian wedding” (1st-19th November) whilst my friend said he would be keen to see the Christmas panto “Sleeping Beauty – One little prick” (November 25th – December 22nd).

http://www.abovethestag.com/