Steve, Sheridan, Olivia, Georgia, Cooper, Zinzdi, Rhys Photo: Helen White
Dean Bryant’s contemporary and hilarious piece of verbatim theatre Gaybies had its Sydney premiere at the Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst on February 10, presented by Darlinghurst Theatre as part of the 2015 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Adapted from interviews conducted with children of gay parents aged 4-40, the work explores the hot and frequently discussed question of “but what about the children?” as it provides an insight through the eyes of the Gaybies themselves into their everyday lives and experiences.
The play thoroughly explores this modern discussion and takes the audience on a journey through a kaleidoscope of different perspectives and ideas.
Bryant’s work utilises the theatrical techniques of a musical using them to transition from scene to scene. At times this element is off putting and the casual ‘off-the-beat’ style of singing often doesn’t relate to what the play is tackling.
Cooper Georgia Amai and Olivia Rose Photo: Helen White
Despite this musical flaw the play is ingeniously strung together and ultimately is a piece of brilliant theatrical social comment.
What works best for Bryant is its basis in verbatim, designed to use the words of real people to make a comment on their social context. In the current political and social Australian context under the Abbot government, this play has successfully done what it was designed to do: create and perpetuate the acceptance of this new and beautiful generation.
The rawness and ingenuity of the verbatim style dialogue and real-life interviews form the backbone of the characters’ opinions, skilfully enacted by the actors. The cast effortlessly picks up and drops characters as the play explores all emotions, all circumstances and all perspectives involved with being a ‘gayby’.
Gaybies is a vibrant manifestation of the moving forward of our society. Its avant-garde forward thinking adds to its dynamic, aided by colourful and skilful performances.
This is a great opportunity for an audience to learn and consider the nuances of a complex issue. A must see.
Catch it until March 8 at the Eternity Playhouse, corner of Burton and Palmer Streets, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst. Tuesdays – Saturdays 8pm, Sunday 5pm.
Tickets: Adult $45/ Conc & Groups $38/ Under 30 (Tue-Thu). A $2 booking fee applies per ticket for online and phone bookings.
Book: www.darlinghursttheatre.com or 02 8356 9987 (9.30am-5.30pm weekdays)
