Acne Romeo opens in a noisy bar, where we are introduced to two characters: R (played by Callan Ridgwell) and J (played by Luc De Freitas). R is our titular Romeo, a trans man who appears uncomfortable in his body—nervous and shy as he surveys the room and spots the charismatic J. J is a femme man, a twink with a sharp edge—youthful, spiky, and confident in his demeanour. The immediate contrast between them sparks an attraction and a tension that is both thrilling and engrossing.
A brave exploration of a rarely seen relationship dynamic
Unfortunately, their unfolding relationship doesn’t quite live up to the promise of this initial tension. Holed up together for 48 hours after R calls in sick to work, their connection moves through moments of intimacy and closeness, rage and cruelty. There’s something undeniably sexy about the way the bodies are portrayed on stage—particularly the swaggering, sultry seductiveness of J, played with riveting charisma by De Freitas. However, the emotional bond between the characters feels confusing, and at times, bewildering. I was left uncertain about what kept these two together when they didn’t seem to particularly enjoy each other’s company. The undulating waves of attraction, anxiety, longing, and need became difficult to track.
The sound design was loud, aggressive, and deliberately distorted. While this served as a useful metaphor for the characters’ confusion, angst, and perhaps even anguish, it often felt alienating and frequently overwhelmed the dialogue.
Nods to Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet through the final costume choices added a delightful touch of humour. It was heartening to see male femininity and transmasculinity represented on stage with such sensitivity by the two young actors. Overall, Acne Romeo is a brave exploration of a rarely seen relationship dynamic.
