Categories: theatre
Date: 10 May 2007 03:47:31
I saw the stage production of Timothy Conigrave's memoir at the Opera House last night; the production now is an encore season after a sell-out 2006 season, and a sell-out encore 2007 season, at the Griffin Theatre [it was the theatre company's highest-grossing production in its 28-year history]. And it is clear to see why it was so well received: a Sydney Morning Herald critic wrote of it, "...unflinching, devastating, moving and funny... I laughed, and I wept." -- and I can but add my agreement.
A summary of the book/play from the promotion material:
Tim and John met in high school in the mid-1970's. Tim was in the school production of Romeo & Juliet and had a crush on John. John was the captain of the football team and wanted to play for Essendon. By the end of high school even their school yearbook acknowledged them as the year's cutest couple.I hadn't read, or even heard of, the book Holding the Man, but I'll be checking the local libraries. As quoted above, it is such a deeply moving, and deeply honest [the author did not shy away from his mistakes and his hurting of his lover], account -- and it truly does, as tales of love often do, transcend generations and sexual preferences.Breathtakingly honest and achingly funny - Holding The Man is a heart-wrenching account of a fifteen-year relationship that weathered disapproval, separation, temptation and ultimately, death. It's a story and a celebration that speaks across generations, sexual preference and cultures.
The stage adaptation was superb: a simple, yet effective, set; the sound and lighting contributing well to the scene and the unfolding narrative; and wonderful acting -- by all six cast members; while the actors playing Tim and John played those roles alone, the four supporting staff played 10 or so other characters each -- and Jeannette Cronin in particular, though they were all great, especially the leads, played a range from wonderfully zany to serious and reserved characters.
An absolutely fulfilling night out, and one that, while I'm sure I will see great productions soon [Shakespeare's Othello is soon to start], will take many years to out-do and one that will never be forgotten. From the final pages of the book, and some of the final words of the stage production:
"I guess the hardest thing is having so much love for you and it somehow not being returned. I develop crushes all the time, but that is just a misdirected need for you. You are a hole in my life, a black hole. Anything I place there cannot be returned. I miss you terribly. Ci vedremo lassù, angelo.(*)"(*)"We'll see each other again in heaven, angel", with thanks to my manager (of Sardinian heritage)