Gay plays usually come in two sizes - earnest polemics with all the fun of a wet weekend in Dagenham, or artistically dubious excuses for the cast to get their kit off. There is, admittedly, a flash of the latter in Matthew Todd’s Blowing Whistles, which was originally premiered three years ago at the Croydon Warehouse, but the nudity here is done for good reason and, as the late Kenny Everett’s Cupid Stunt would have said, “it’s all done in the best possible taste!”
Nigel and Jamie are a couple about to celebrate their tenth anniversary. They seem suited to each other despite wanting different things in life. Jamie (Paul Keating), the youngest at 32, is jaded with the gay scene, while older boyfriend Nigel (Stuart Laing) appears to be going through the seven year itch, desperate to be desirable to anyone - but his lover.
Does that ring any bells? Well the scenario certainly did with the mixed audience in the Leicester Square Theatre’s refurbished auditorium, as they lapped up the references to the gay scene and its pre-occupations and current fixations with Gaydar. Not that Todd’s play is particularly critical or even puts all gay people in one big candy-cock box – it’s just asking, ‘is there more out there?’
When Nigel decides to mark their tenth decade with a home delivery of young totty in the shape of 17 year old Mark (Daniel Finn), the event creates a chain reaction that will alter their relationship and lives forever.
“He’s so common,” Nigel says of the sexy visitor. “You don’t know whether he’s gonna mug us or fuck us - it’s so horny.”
Meanwhile, as Nigel tries to impress the streetwise kid and fails miserably, Jamie becomes increasingly nervous and sozzled during the evening. But it’s Nigel’s manipulation and lack of consideration for his boyfriend’s needs that really puts a big question mark over the concept of ‘open relationships’ that the play challenges.
For us, the audience, the scene is a joyous car crash of manners, reflecting the funny but cringing style of a Mike Leigh production, while at the same time piercing our consciences with some unpalatable home-truths.
Todd has taken a brave decision to be frank about certain aspects of gay society, things that we don’t always like to admit, but he does it with a light touch, peppering his play with witty one-liners while resisting the more obvious Julian Clary and Carry On humour of gay camp comedy. In the second half the territory becomes darker with some poignant moments that I defy anyone who has ever been in love from not welling up and reaching for the tissues.
All three actors are superb in their roles and it takes guts to present a sex scene that is done without compromise and feels real, yet strangely non-intrusive.
The thing about Blowing Whistles is that we all know people like Jamie, Nigel and Mark. We are the characters and it’s what they are searching for in a society distracted by on demand sex, accessible porn and habitual clubbing, with its numerous temptations, that really resonates.
Blowing Whistles will leave you with a smile on your face, but also toying over a few preconceptions too.
Read The Full GaydarNation Review »
Click to find out what the cute atcor thinks about casual sex, internet dating and blowing whistles!
Read Our Interview With Matthew Todd»
Click to find out what the author of this topical drama about love, sex, nudity and gay pride.
Blowing Whistles, by Matthew Todd
Leicester Square Theatre
5 Leicester Place
London, WC2H 7BP
0844 847 2475 / www.ticketweb.co.uk
23 October–29 November 2008
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