‘Holding the Man’ writer chats UK premiere of award-winning Australian gay drama
Shane is sixteen, cute and, scared sh*tless. He’s just fled his home in rural Australia for downtown Sydney. Adrift among the lonely hearts and heady thrills of King’s Cross, Shane attempts to navigate the troubled waters of his past toward a brighter future.
The King’s Head Theatre presents the UK premiere of Tommy Murphy’s critically acclaimed drama of friendship, sex and escapism. With humour and sensitivity, Strangers in Between offers an unflinching look at the highs and lows of being gay in modern Australia; a coming of age story, about friendship across the generations, and how our past can come back to haunt us.
We caught up with Murphy and director Adam Spreadbury-Maher to find out more…
What made you want to write Strangers in Between, Tommy, and made you want to direct it, Adam?Tommy Murphy:
I don’t know where the original impulse came from. There was a point when the character of Peter was named Peg and was a grandmotherly figure. I remember realising that I’d actually written an older gay male and that the real heart of the play was this very particular sort of nurturing and guidance that happens between gay men.
Adam Spreadbury-Maher: I first read it in 2008 and coming back to it years later, I’ve realised it’s about the duty of care we have to each other as human beings and which – as Tommy alludes to – is particularly prevalent in the gay community because young gay guys don’t necessarily have support from their families or their peers.
What was it like growing up as a gay man in Australia?
ASM: I’m split on that question. I really enjoyed going to school but there was always this low level homophobia in the background; mostly verbal, but occasionally physical abuse of anyone who was thought to be gay.
TM: I’d like to think that growing up gay in Australia is one of the things that’s served me as a writer. I felt like an insider and outsider at the same time and was able to observe heteronormative Australian male culture from more of a distance. It fascinates me to see the sheer performance of masculinity at times.
Has you ever known a real life Shane?
ASM: I think I’ve been Shane; in terms of my journey out of Canberra and into Sydney and then to London. I identify with the behaviour that comes with trying to appear older than you are.
TM: I agree. The Shane I’ve known is myself. It amuses me sometimes to hear people question the plausibility of the character; if anything I’ve toned down the naivety! I’m afraid I really did used to believe it was safer to walk in the middle of the road to avoid getting mugged!
What advice would you give to Shane if you met him?
ASM: Have fun. Always wear a condom. Stay away from the sugar.
TM: Be fearless. That’s what I see as Shane’s triumph in the play; to overcome that liminal space when you’re moving between communities and you don’t belong yet, you’re still a stranger.
‘Strangers in Between’ is at London’s Kings Head Theatre until July 16. For tickets and more information visit kingsheadtheatre.ticketsolve.com.
For the best deals on tickets and shows, visit tickets.attitude.co.uk.
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