Apologies for going quiet – I’ve been far too busy stuffing my face with turkey and mulled wine to speak, let alone write. However, I can now draw for breath and tell you about two plays I saw before Christmas… One was about homophobia, and the other was dripping with homoeroticism.
A Clockwork Orange at the Soho Theatre was extraordinarily good. (I’m sure you all know the story) So different to Stanley Kubrick’s film, comparison is futile. But if you insist on comparing…. I liked the performance better.
Its genius lay with its all male cast. The ultra violent scenes were absurdly erotic, which somehow made the brutality easier to cope with – like a weird sort of censorship. These men in their braces, make up and white vests were on stage dripping with sweat, touching each other and all sorts. And let’s face it chicks – hot men getting it on with hot men just is sexy.
As the testosterone flowed, so did cider. At times I was caught dribbling over Alex – well, Martin McCredie. He is just my type – pale, puppy dog eyed and evil. (ha ha – I don’t actually go for the evil part but it sounds cooler) But don’t think the only reason I am raving about A Clockwork Orange is because I fancied the dude. I went with my straight boy cousin and he loved it just as much!
Now from the homoerotic to the homophobic…
One Monday in the lead up to Christmas I went to get my usual hit of discount theatre at The Royal Court – to see a play called Hero.
Hero is the story of Danny, a gay primary school teacher. Jamie is his colleague and straight and wishes Danny would be too. Essentially, I found Hero lacked any likeable characters. Admittedly, you don’t love the brutal blokes in A Clockwork Orange but you’re not meant to. In Hero you’re meant to like, even love Danny but he was nauseating.
Homophobia starts to engulf Jamie, and admittedly this was conveyed very effectively. He doesn’t think it’s okay, and he is loosing his ability to hide his thoughts.
But ultimately, the play just wasn’t realistic…. the villainous ‘kids’ beat up the homophob Jamie, thinking he is gay. They then go on a witchunt for Danny but just end up chatting to him because he is so cool and fun and loves dominos. The violent scenes with provocative and seriously saucy (like a kingsize bottle of barbecue) ballet in A Clockwork Orange were somehow more realistic. And believe me – the production really wasn’t phased by being so……
And the soundtrack to A Clockwork Orange REALLY got me going – they pumped the Scissor Sisters through the speakers. There are few plays that mix intensity with fun in the same way. It’s great to think for a moment – am I in the theatre or a very cool gay club in Ibiza?
Hero was a bit too much of real life, without it actually being realistic. A Clockwork Orange is a work of fantastic fantasy. Sadly, it’s not on at the Soho Theatre anymore, but find it – I an guarantee it will make you cry, sigh, giggle and pant.
Just look at him… DRINK ME
