Merle Miller’s gay-activist book travels to the stage through the world premiere of its theatrical adaptation. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this rainbow-flagged piece also features any red ones.
“If you try it once, you’re a philosopher; if twice, you’re a sodomite”. I guess my case calls for a special breed, then – in every sense of the word… It’s funny how such incredibly hurtful words still are some of the kindest the our community has received up until recently. For centuries, loving someone in a way that goes beyond the norm has only been rewarded with fear, despise and, ultimately, hatred. But the saddest part is that we don’t need to look back too far to find those memories – as wistfully, they’re all part of our past as individuals.
London’s Wilton’s Music Hall hosts this month the world premiere of What It Means, a new play exploring the grievance of a middle-aged writer as he confronts a new way of homophobia knocking just a few doorsteps away. Penned by James Corley after Merle Miller’s pioneering book essay, On Being Different, this almost one-man show serves as a honest, insightful homage to the struggles that, particularly we as gay men, have been conflicted upon since we could see through our true selves – and since the rest could do so too.
Shame, loneliness, regret… The common burdens they try to inflict upon us – from the painfully endless abuse your own family can take on you to the unmerciful bullying school has to offer. All of them tackled with impeccable sincerity and, above all, genuine knowledge and understanding. It’s easy to connect as viewer when something seems relatable, but it’s even easier to do so when, in some manner, you can see onstage a clear reflection of your own self.
Directed by Harry Mackrill, its sharp writing is evenly matched by Richard Cant’s excellent performance in the lead role of Miller – delivering an intense, edgy persona that nonetheless manages to keep its audience at ease through his kind-hearted warmth and bonding familiarity. In addition, Cayvan Coates makes a short but quite memorable appearance as the Boy from Pittsburgh, endowing his character with an aura of utmost realism through his complex depiction of a teenager who’s just had enough after dealing with his mother’s (and society’s) ongoing harm towards his (and our) kind.
Rough, blunt and, on the top, extremely deep (no double entendres, please), What It Means brings both thought and emotion to an open-ended reality that defines each one of us. Despite the need for a few minor tweaks in its structure and a more effective lighting design, the production is nonetheless a successful effort featuring a powerful narrative – capable of retrieving the woes from yesterday but also inspiring us for a shinier tomorrow. It doesn’t give us hope, but strength instead. And bolsters the essence of a word that we’ve made ours and taken by our sides through the rest of our lives. PRIDE.
All pictures credit to Danny Kaan.
What It Means plays at London’s Wilton’s Music Hall until 28 October. Tickets are available on the following link.