GenQ - For the not so straight individual

It was always a difficult job of bringing any novel to the stage. Timothy Conigrave's "Holding the Man" is no exception, particularly because it has such a string following, reading the best selling and award winning novel is almost a right of passage. Playwright Tommy Murphy and director David Berthold have successfully made the transition. The director, David Berthold, is mindful of the challenge but admits to being more stimulated than fearful. "It's a privilege to be working on this [production] because I'm aware of the importance of the book in people's hearts," he says.

The five member cast consists of Guy Edmonds as Tim, Matt Zeremes as his lover John and supported by Jeanette Cronin, Robin Mc Leavy, Brett Stiller and Nicolas Eadie, who play multiple roles. The play open with 10 year old Conigrave at primary school watching the moon landing and being suitably distracted by the affections of another boy in his class. We then jump 5 years to Xavier College and Tim's first introduction to football player John Caleo and the beautiful and innocent first kiss and Tim's asking to "go 'round with me". We then follow Tim and John over 15 years as they go to university, Tim's infidelity, their being diagnosed with HIV and John eventual deterioration and death.

Guy Edmond and Matt Zeremes bring the two main characters to life with sensitivity and dignity. Tim's infidelity and John's hurt are dealt without demonizing one and turning the other into a saint.They are two people anyone can relate to in a relationship. Jeanette Cronin has the daunting task of playing mothers, teenage boys,aging scene queens and NIDA auditioner and is almost at risk of stealing the show. This perfectly balances the tragedy of the story with humour in a way that reflects the lives of Tim and John.

Tim had a dream after John died where he saw an angel sitting on a rock, the angel asked him,
"What did you learn from John?"
"That you don't need to be concerned about what other people think of you."
"Anything else?"
"The value of unconditional love."

If you see nothing else this year, try and get to Holding The Man, the season has been extended due to high demand and come away treasuring your relationship. For more information go here.