Naked Boys Singing 2009

Naked Boys Singing 2009
King’s Head Theatre
Directed by Phil Willmott
Conceived by Robert Schrock
26th May – 5th July 2009

Reviewed by Rachel Sheridan for the British Theatre Guide

Soon there will be nobody left in Soho if the King’s Head has anything to do with it. F**king Men continues to extend its run and is now sharing it’s outrageously camp stage with Naked Boys Singing 2009 (which is pretty much just what it says it is – naked boys singing).

Naked Boys Singing is one of Off Broadways’ longest (no pun intended) running shows and it looks set to continue its success. With a title such as this it leads you in little doubt as to what you are about to see; in fact the opening number “Gratuitous Nudity”, lets the audience know that the performers know exactly why they have come to see this show. It also won’t shock you to know that with the exception of a few dedicated fag hags (myself included) the audience for this production is largely same sex orientated, which is a shame actually as this show is about more than penises.

Camper than A Chorus Line, Naked Boys Singing follows seven men as they audition to be in a show which requires nudity. They sing about other jobs they have had which required nudity, about admiring the naked boy in the apartment across the street, about being a “perky little porn star” and about Hollywood stars whose nude appearances did their careers wonders. Of course, I know what you’re all thinking; this is all very well and good but when do they stop singing about being naked and actually get naked themselves!

There is a great deal of teasing, or what you might call theatrical foreplay before the big reveal and boy do they reveal it. These boys don’t let the fact they have no clothes on deter them from their energetic dance routines, complete with high-kicks. In fact, before they get to this moment you may feel that they have played it safe by keeping their clothes on for so long. However by forcing us to wait, the impact is that much stronger and in all honesty once they are naked it is, as you can imagine rather distracting.

The star of this show may be the nudity but it is supported by a fantastic cast. Their performances are funny, moving, and bizarre (and this is even with their clothes on!) There are moments when it all gets a little bit too Queer as Folk with a rap about checking out the other men in the gym, accompanied by full on pumping disco lights. However aside from that (and of course the fact that they are naked for half of it) Naked Boys Singing really isn’t that different from any other musical.

There is no reason why Naked Boys Singing shouldn’t replicate its American success in London with its great songs, great performances oh and of course I mustn’t forget to pay tribute to their co-stars.

Fucking Men

Fucking Men

Written by: Joe DiPietro
Directed by Phil Wilmott & Sam Miller
The King’s Head Theatre
Running Dates: 7th January – 25th January, 2008
Reviewed by Rachel Sheridan for the British Theatre Guide
9th December, 2008

Fucking Men is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those who like their tea served by attractive gay men, it will go down very well.

After a run at the Finborough in 2008, Fucking Men is back in London at The King’s Head and if the enthusiastic audience is anything to go by, I’d say Soho has a bit of competition on its hands.

Ten gay men, from different walks of life, fall in love, fall out of love, connect and disconnect. Each have their own idea of what constitutes happiness and for some it works out, whilst others are still left searching. Sounds like real life, which is what writer Joe DiPietro sets out to achieve. Almost a reaction to the customary safe depiction of gay lifestyle portrayed on TV and theatre today, DiPietro wants to set the record straight. Not all gay men want to achieve the heterosexual ideal of a monogamous relationship. This may be somewhat disconcerting for those who don’t want to consider the promiscuous nature of some gay men; but as I said, this play won’t be for everyone.

At a first glance one may think some of the characters in Fucking Men are nothing more than stereotypes; the closeted movie star, the ridiculously camp college boy or the confident escort. Yet whilst stereotypical on the surface these characters have a heart and truth to them as they all struggle with various inner demons.

The escort John (Shai Matheson) who falls in love with Steve (Matthew Clancy) the tough army guy; who’s not gay; he just likes having sex with men. Leo (Timothy Lone) and Jack (Morgan James) who have been together for over ten years and love each other but continue to lie to each other as well as to themselves and of course the young idealistic porn star, Ryan (Adam Unze) who could have anyone and yet has fallen for “married” Jack. These stories are funny, touching and sad and are bought to life by a very strong ensemble. Dan Ford in particular is hilarious as the insecure writer Sammy who pours all his personal neurosis into his work.

The majority of the play provides a fascinating insight into the lives of gay males and an interesting reflection for those who are already familiar with this world. However towards the end it starts to feel a little like a “message” play as it hammers home the idea that everybody should be free to live their life however they feel fit. Despite this small criticism, Fucking Men is brave and audacious and of course sex is a predominant theme, but it’s smarter than that. It doesn’t shy away from the truth and while certain ideas may be a little hard for some to swallow (no pun intended) we are definitely ready to hear the facts about f**king men.