Boy's Life
14/04/11 19:16
Writer: Howard Korder
Director: Sam Shore
Cast: Andrew Ford, Toni Rowe, Sarah Graham, Ema Barton, Joel Herbert, Nicole Jorgensen, Jacqui Nauman, Devlin Bishop and Pete Coates
Location: The Basement
Synopsis (from Basement promo):
A frequently witty and thought-provoking urban drama, Boys’ Life could succinctly be described as the male’ ‘Sex in the City’. Playing out predominantly through the eyes of 3 young urban men (who refuse to grow up), it portrays the sexual politics and attitudes of late 1980’s America. But the themes and issues it raises are deeper than they seem and equally as relevant to today’s New Zealand, as men and women (or boys and girls) continue the struggle for identity in an increasingly confusing world.
The New Yorker called Boys’ Life, “the most balanced and intelligent comment on the battle of the sexes I've seen in a long time…"
Variety says “"Howard Korder's Boys’ Life puts sexual insecurity among under-30 males under the comic microscope and the result is a satisfying and thoughtful work by a fresh playwriting voice."
With a top-notch creative team headed by rising star, and the creative force behind The Idea of America, Sam Shore, who will direct this slick and sassy production, with costumes styled by fashion designer Lindah Lepou and set design by recent Arts Foundation Laureate John Parker; Boys’ Life is set to be one of The Outfit Theatre Company’s most talked about productions of 2011.
Thoughts on this Production:
I found this deeply unsatisfying theatre.
It wasn’t the fault of the production - which I thought was really well done. The acting, scene transitions (which felt like mini parties) and the 80s vibe were all great.
For me, the problem was with the script. I felt like I spent an hour watching caricatures talk ‘at’, rather than ‘to’, each other. The play seemed superficial - devoid of any genuine human interaction or connection.
It didn’t help that I didn’t recognise, and found it impossible to relate to, the three main characters.