By David Gardette.
Boys on the Verge of Tears by Sam Grabiner is an ambitious exploration of modern masculinity that delivers a mix of raw emotional moments, humour, and unsettling insights. Premiering at the Soho Theatre in London in 2023, the play won the Verity Bargate Writing Award, and it’s easy to see why—it pushes boundaries and challenges. Following on from their 2023 hit The Trophy Boys, Theatre Company The Maybe Pile brings this atmospheric and interesting production to the Australian stage for the first time.
The production is enriched with a wonderfully realistic set design by Ben Andrews, which perfectly captures the grunge and decay of public toilets. The environment feels almost tangible, bringing the setting to life and immersing the audience into the gritty world of the characters. This realism is further enhanced by Ethan Hunter’s searing sound design, which vigorously creates an atmospheric soundscape, filled with ambient noise that evoke the feeling of being in that very place. Together, these elements work to create a uniquely immersive atmosphere, transporting into the raw, visceral world of these individuals.
Keegan Bragg’s direction is focused and tight for much of the production, ensuring that the emotional beats land with weight. However, the nightclub scenes, in particular, struggle with a pace that detracts from the overall cohesion. While these moments are full of energy, they occasionally lose the emotional depth and focus that other parts of the play capture so well.
The ensemble cast delivers solid performances, with each actor—Ben Walter, Karl Richmond, Justin Hosking, Damon Baudin, and Akeel Purmanund—having a chance to relish their portrayal of over 45 characters. The transitions between these roles are, on the whole, seamless, but at times, the fast-paced dialogue and shouting, detract from the clarity of the script. More light and shade in the delivery would help balance the tension as there were moments when dialogue was lost amidst the disorder.
Boys on the Verge of Tears is an engrossing and often unsettling piece. It offers a compelling, if sometimes disorienting, examination of modern masculinity. While the production could benefit from some slowing down of scenes to bring some nuance to the middle years, it is nonetheless an engaging theatrical experience that leaves a lasting impression. Well worth the journey down the stairs and into the men’s room.
Boys on the Verge of Tears plays at 45 Downstairs until 30 March.
Image: Ben Andrews
