Fucking Men
by Joe DiPietro
6 February – 10 March
An Australian premiere, presented as part of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras
“Why does any guy have sex with strangers? Cause it feels fan-fuckin’-tastic. That’s it. End of story.”
A sharp, provocative and very funny play dealing with a chain of hook-ups amongst a group of gay men.
American writer Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) has loosely adapted La Ronde, Arthur Schnitzler’s notorious 19th century satire about sexual adventuring, and turned it into a revealing panorama of contemporary gay life.
Take ten guys: The Escort, The Soldier, The Tutor, The Uni Student, The Married Guy (and his partner), The Porn Star, The Playwright, The Actor and The Journalist, put them into a series of one-on-one encounters, and the result is an erotic, confronting and audacious comedy of gay sexual manners.
Like good sex, each moment leaves you wanting more. But underneath the hot man-on-man action is an ironic and truthful look at the conflict many gay men experience between the desire for monogamous love and the thrill of sexual freedom.
“Brings Grindr to life” British Theatre Guide
★★★★ The Times
Note: this production contains nudity, strong language and sexual references. Suitable for 18+
creative team
Director & Set Designer Mark G. Nagle
Lighting Designer David Marshall-Martin
Costume Designer Krystal Dee
Assistant Director Neil Khare
Composer: incidental music Anthea Pelino
Composer: linking music/songs Matthew Raven
Choreographer Harriet Bridges-Webb
Stage Manager Saskia van t’ Hoff
ASMs Tom Aldous, Sienna Pansini Martin
Production Assistant Sophie Giese
Lighting Operator Sai Sourya Kasivajjula
Sound Operator Jay Rowe
Pianist/Master of Ceremonies Matthew Raven
Set Design Assistants Tom Bannerman,
David Marshall-Martin, Rodger Wishart
cast
Jackson Blair-West, Michael Brindley,
Stanley Browning, John Michael Burdon,
Anthony Finch, Ray Mainsbridge,
Tom Marwick, Nick Pes,
Anton Smilek, Pete Walters
dates/times
Previews (6 & 7 February) 7:30pm
Thursday – Saturday 7:30pm
Sunday 5pm
Saturday 3 & 10 March 2pm only
tickets
Full $35
Concessions, Groups (6+) $30
Mardi Gras Members $25
New Theatre Members $22
Previews, Thrifty Thursdays $20
“This is very much an ensemble effort with each actor clearly differentiating their character and exploring their own particular pain in a nuanced way … Different sorts of desires, not just the physical, underscore every scene and there are also moments of humour and wry recognition” Theatre Now
“A beautifully written piece with some wonderful insights into not only gay life but the nature of relationships more generally … A convincingly performed, rewarding night out” Australian Stage
“The focus is on the humanity rather than the abundance of bare bottoms and well-toned chests. There are recognisable moments that elicit roars of laughter or groans of judgement proving that this work is not just for gay men. There is a universality in the need for human connection that plays out in each scene that can be related back to other relationships” Broadway World
“Each cast member brings on a fully formed character and then we are free to enjoy his iteration. There are mysteries, there are obfuscations and lies, there is violence near the surface, all to be observed and enjoyed … The cast are all terrific and we respond to them in a very human way” Sydney Arts Guide
“A warm, respectful examination of the gay urban lifestyle, that lovers of Mardi Gras theatre will devour with gusto. It’s funny, poignant [and] a gorgeous night out” Lisa Thatcher
Main image: © Tverdohlib/iStock
Production images: © Bob Seary