Love, confessions, and heartbreak are in the air as director Ryan Kerr presents two short original plays, Gladys & Peggy by Em Glasspool and disclosure: a dozen ways to die by David Bateman at The Theatre on King (TTOK) in downtown Peterborough.
Both finalists from TTOK’s 2014 Playwright Festival, the two productions work well as two candid and very original snapshots at two very different LGBT relationships.
The evening begins with Gladys & Peggy, starring Amy Cummings in the role of Gladys and Meg O’Sullivan as Peggy. Gladys and Peggy could be any pair of women getting drunk in any small bar in any city. Through their drunken banter, words are said, nothing is heard, and questions are left unanswered.
While Peggy has some very important things to say and large confessions to make, Gladys is so stuck in her own head that she isn’t paying attention to a word Peggy says. It’s a short but potent piece of human drama from Em Glasspool that says all it has to say very quickly.
Amy plays the infuriating drunk while Meg gives a heartbreaking performance.
David is HIV positive, which Gabriel claims he never knew despite David’s insistence that he told him. This becomes the fuel for a rollercoaster battle of break-up, make-up, arguments, head games, and role playing.
Despite the serious topic of HIV disclosure laws, disclosure has some wickedly funny banter that’s well executed by Andrew and Derek. However, while Andrew’s character David has his charming moments and the audience both roots and believes in him, Derek’s character Gabriel is vapid and unlikeable.
The result is that I had an extremely mixed emotional response from watching the pair.
Perhaps I’m more of a romantic, but the shallowness of the relationship between David and Gabriel with the stakes being so high is somewhat disconcerting and it pains me to think that such relationships exist.
However, being a fan of David Bateman’s writing for years, I know that he’s a keen observer of the human condition and has never been afraid to bring forward uncomfortable truths about the way some people live. It’s an alternative look at head games, sex, and deception that’s disturbingly real.
The principal subject of disclosure are the laws that surround HIV and just whose responsibility it is to present this information. It’s not a usual topic for drama, and becomes an important issue that’s presented in an often-witty way.
A shout out to the creative use of Paul Anka music throughout disclosure. It adds campy quality that often provides comedic relief.
Gladys & Peggy and disclosure: a dozen ways to die continue TTOK’s ongoing commitment to creating original alternative theatre. Ryan Kerr directs an excellent cast in two original pieces by acclaimed playwrights.
The double bill runs May 6th, 7th, and 9th at 8 p.m. and May 10th at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. Audiences should be aware of strong language and sexual subject matter and the performances are not recommended for minors.
