Belvoir St Downstairs, until March 2
Bookings: (02) 9699 3444
Photo: Bob Seary

While practising air-kissing in a foyer, a friend assured me that we would see each other again soon.

It seems we would be taking in the same performance of Matthew Todd’s Blowing Whistles. He wasn’t sure he actually wanted to see the play but was almost resigned to do so. “Gay culture is nothing if not parochial,” he sighed.

I didn’t see him at the performance but you could spin 360 degrees and see gay men in every direction, to paraphrase a character in the play. I suppose I’m curious what he would have thought of it because while it is a hilariously funny play with plenty of cock jokes thrown in for good measure, it is also very critical of the pink herd mentality.

Blowing Whistles is the first play by Todd, a UK-based writer who admits to having had the shit kicked out of him for being gay and then, the masochist, tried his hand at stand-up.

He was, thankfully, a success. He is still the resident host of London comedy club False Titters and is also a well-regarded journalist. While this first attempt at playrighting is flawed (the second act goes round and round like a rat in a pail), it still makes for a sexy, funny and even a little sad look at being gay in the big smoke.

Nigel (Lindsay Moss) and Jamie (Neil Phipps) have been together for ten years. On the eve of Mardi Gras they find themselves struggling over the terms of their open relationship. They think they have an agreement that works for them, but it all begins to unravel when, through Gaydar, they hook up with ‘Cumboy_17’, also known as Mark (Lindsay Farris), who has his own agenda. 

Pete Netell is a talented and intelligent director who has identified the weaker spots in the script and minimalised them. His production is equal parts agreeable bitchy comedy, with aesthetically appealing nudity, and tender love story.

I fully believed in the love of Nigel and Jaime, which makes it all that much more heartrending when one of them decides to pack his bags and leave.

All three actors give tight, nuanced performances. They are also gifted comedians who make the most of Todd’s timely jabs at contemporary gay culture.

Todd isn’t afraid to say what he thinks and this production sees a good play almost become great.

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