By Jennifer Beasley.
A cute, sexy, musical comedy romp through the world of Gay dating.
It’s exciting to see a two-hander musical about the trials and tribulations of Gay dating with intention- the desperate need to get married within the year fuelled by Larry’s potentially criminal Uncle Cosmo’s requirements to receive a $946,000 early inheritance.
Yes, well I’d dip a toe into the dating pool too for that amount, however, after the nightmare dates Larry burns through, and played by a very accomplished Luke Costabile (Tin Pot), I don’t think I’d bother.
With the remarkable Trent Cliffe as the other team member, acting and singing a HUGE range of other characters (a hobosexual, Janet, Gracie, The One Night Stand Who Brings His Secretary Along, Aunty Sue, The Dandruff Terror, The Invisible Entity, Mindy, The Serial Killer and the Philosophising Child) and there could have been more (I lost count), he is the perfect foil to the confused and money obsessed Larry destined to never connect with anyone. Even the vacuum cleaner.
You will find plenty to like and loads of laughs as Cliff transitions smoothly through the roles in the chaotic life of Larry, whose ‘best friend’ is Gracie. He’s only ever worked one shift with ‘her’ at the Veterinarian Clinic, yet clings like an octopus to this association, much to the annoyance of this character.
As Larry cycles through these avoidant and downright weird men, he comes to the conclusion, and the core thematic question, that most men/entities on Grindr are not looking for commitment, which leads Larry to ask, What Is Happiness? And why is it so hard to accept oneself?
With Dan on the lights/music in the Gods, this musical snaps along, however, the closing scene becomes too chaotic, as it veers too far from the themes, and doesn’t give this inspired musical the ending it deserves. I’m sure a bit of tweaking (or twerking. Whatever works) will give a more satisfying conclusion. Also, not sure why the guitar was set up on stage and not used? If it doesn’t need to be there, then get rid of it. It sets up expectations from the audience.
It’s also funny whom you meet at the Midsumma Festival, as I was sitting next to Trevar Skillicorn-Chilver, a playwright and a LBGTIQA+ celebrant. Oh, the irony!
All the boys on the stage had to do was drag Trevar up and he’d fix Larry’s problem instantly (I vote for the vacuum cleaner as the groom.)
Great use of original songs, and sending up multiple musicals, makes this an easy 60 minute of viewing and I was very pleased to see a FULL HOUSE.
I want to know though, when is the album going to land on Spotify?
