GenQ - For the not so straight individual

After sell out seasons at the Stables Theatre at both the end of last year and during the 2007 Mardi Gras, Holding The Man returns for a third season due to overwhelming demand at the Sydney Opera House. Once again, audiences will not be disappointed.

The production is based around the award winning text of the same name; an autobiography about the life of Timothy Conigrave. Starting from his school years, Conigrave meets and falls in love with John Caleo, the captain of the school football team. In a relationship that spans fifteen years, the cheerful breakthroughs and the devastations of two people in love are shared with brutal honesty and heart warming chemistry.

The Griffin Theatre Company has successfully brought this text to life with a production that hits many emotions. Writer Tommy Murphy and Director David Berthold have conducted a successful transition from literature to stage. Humour throughout the production certainly contributes to what is easily one of the highlights of theatre in Sydney for 2007.

Guy Edmonds and Matt Zeremes performed exceedingly well as Conigrave and Caleo, making their relationship on stage plausible to all members of the audience to a level where it truly can be appreciated. Kudos must also be awarded to Brett Stiller and Jeanette Cronin. With Holding The Man being the third production for both actors for the Griffin Theatre Company, their presence on stage is highly commendable, adding to the praise that it has received from all of its spectators.

Having previously read Holding The Man prior to seeing this production, the text is now valued on an increased level. I had not yet seen one bad review; now I know why. If your theatre attendance in the near future is limited, Holding The Man could not have a higher recommendation; the production successfully captivates its audience, portraying gay culture, love and emotion in an intensity level rarely seen on stage. It will make you smile, it will make you laugh, it will make you weep; it is without a doubt, a must see.

Holding The Man is currently playing at the Sydney Opera House until 26 May. For more information, click here.