Not All Fun And Games

Sun Herald

Sunday October 26, 2008

Jason Blake

Blowing Whistles

Darlinghurst Theatre

Until November 15

Tickets $25-$30

Bookings (02) 8356 9987

Critic's rating 7/10

FRANK and very funny, British writer Matthew Todd's gay lifestyle sitcom/soap questions the meaning of gay pride in our post-activist, internet-sex-obsessed 21st century.

On the surface at least, Jamie (Neil Phipps) and Nigel (Lindsay Moss) have plenty to be proud of - a lengthy relationship, a shared home and a carefully negotiated book of relationship rules that allow for sex with strangers but forbid emotional involvement.

For 37-year-old trashbag Nigel, it's the perfect set-up. For Jamie, five years younger and yearning for exclusivity, it's slow poison.

On the eve of Mardi Gras - and their 10th anniversary - Nigel arranges a threesome with "cumboy17", a hot young Westie reeled in from a gay sex website. But deep-seated resentments and insecurities are stirred when "cumboy17" - real name Mark (Lachlan Mantell) - reveals himself to be as needy and naive as he is cocksure and alluring.

The first half of Blowing Whistles crackles with bitchy humour and memorable put-downs. Mark observes that Nigel looks different to his gaydar profile, especially around the eyes. Maybe it's tiredness, says Nigel. Maybe it's the lighting. "Maybe it's Maybelline," snaps Jamie.

In Act II, things darken considerably. Nigel ditches the rule book and stays out all night. Sitcom-style zingers give way to rancour and tears. Characters aside, everything about Blowing Whistles is fairly straightforward and predictable but Pete Nettell's production accentuates its positives, delivering a show that's tight, well paced and explicit.

Even if the audience is a few steps ahead of the characters most of the time, it's still fun to watch them play catch-up.

Phipps has the lion's share of the best lines and his timing is a delight, while Moss is impressive playing a grown man determined to maintain an air of extended adolescence whatever the cost. Mantell capably embodies both the innocence and callousness of youth. Listen for the collective gasp from the audience when he makes his first nude appearance.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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