When this Alexi Kaye Campbell’s piece played recently in the West End, it was a sell-out and received much praise. The promotion simply stated that it explored changing attitudes to homosexuality. The action alternates between two strained love triangles – one in 1958 (wife, repressed gay husband and his lover) and the present day (female friend, gay guy and his ex-lover).
I didn’t quite know what to make of it really. Don’t get me wrong, the acting was sublime. The suppressed guilt and shame of 1958 Philip (played brilliantly by Harry Hadden-Paton) or his frustration and hurt with his present day promiscuous lover. The quiet gentleness of 1958 Oliver (played by Al Weaver) compared to his present day flamboyance and camp dramatics. Naomi Sheldon, as the knowing 1958 wife Sylvia, was theatre magic.
But it took our emotions on a rollercoaster. One minute we were laughing at Nazi role plays (Mathew Horne is a comic genius) and the next we were shocked at a brutal rape. Then we were laughing again at ignorant coarse media types and then disgusted at barbaric aversion therapies. And so it went on.
It explored the full spectrum of human emotions – including the depths of denial, devotion, depression and disgust. There were confessions and confidences. It showed the loneliness of both those in unhappy relationships as well as those who are shunned by society. But we were also presented with just about every gay stereotype too and I found this uncomfortable. The importance and joy of “The Pride” didn’t really come across.
There were moments that were just a tad too intense. And others that were just uncomfortably cliché. But it was compelling viewing.
The Pride plays at Richmond until Saturday 1st February http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-pride/richmond-theatre/
