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Generation Games

 
Miriam Colvin Review by Miriam Colvin 3 Published: 15 Apr 2023 The White Bear Show Dates: 11 Apr 2023-22 Apr 2023

Generation Games is a double bill featuring two one-act plays: A Certain Term by Michael McManus and I F_ _ _ _ _ n’ Love You by Charlie Ross Mackenzie. Both follow stories of gay men and their generational differences: the first about a young man, Joe, and his older friend, Graham, whom he met drunkenly a few days prior, and Simon and Adrian who are in a three-year serious relationship with a significant age gap. Though very different stories, they answer on themes of ageism, the desire to be loved and the differences of opinion within the LGBTQ+ community.

These beautiful pieces made clear that everyone can find common ground no matter the generational differences.

A Certain Term begins with one of my favourite tropes: A not-really-invited party guest awkwardly shows up, and learns way too much about a stranger’s life. Joe (Simon Stallard), a secure and positive man in his early twenties, reconnects with the pessimistic and seemingly alcoholic writer Graham (Luke McGibney). Through conversation they compare how their relationship with their identity has differed throughout the course of their life. For example, how they dealt with coming out to their families, or how they showed or hid their romantic love growing up, while Graham makes note of Joe's rainbow socks he wore to the party.

The dialogue itself is very funny, though feeling unfocused at times. Some of the emotional moments and relationship development are undermined because of the constant clever remarks and wit. The blocking was also problematic. Joe and Graham moved so often, it took away from the moments of tension. If there were more opportunities for stillness, it would be more effective for the arc of the scene and the clarity of their relationship. By the end, though, when the truth is revealed and new discoveries are made it’s extremely poignant; how grief can intersect with your relationship to others, to your past and to your identity.

I F_ _ _ _ _ n’ Love You begins in an AirBnB bedroom – the perfect battleground for a relationship spat. From the start, it feels extremely personal and familiar, especially with their back-and-forth bickering and Adrian’s neverending trips to the bathroom. All of the conflict starts from the two boyfriends who say they want to turn the lights off and go to sleep, but clearly have a lot to say and can’t bear holding it in any longer. It honours the idea of leaning on others and needing each other through hardship. It asks a lot of questions too in relation to age. How does age create differences between insecurity, jealousy, and traditional relationship values?

I deeply appreciated that these plays discussed topics that aren’t normally talked about on stage. Specifically, they comment on how it feels to become older within the gay community. That Adrian and Graham feel as though they “become invisible” (Graham in A Certain Term) as they ease into their forties and fifties. They’ve grown up in a society that denies them freedom to love, and now that they have more, they ponder if they’ve done enough to make a mark on the world. In contrast to this, their younger counterparts juggle with their own insecurities and become jealous of each other in different ways.

These beautiful pieces make it clear that everyone can find common ground no matter the generational differences, while, at the same time, reminding us that trauma can deeply affect our point of view. Ultimately, differences can bring people together in a wonderfully empathetic and human way.

Amir Nisi

Miriam Colvin

Miriam Colvin is a playwright and theatre student, currently studying at the Pennsylvania State University. When she's not writing, she's acting, directing, or doing improv and sketch comedy. Miriam is also passionate about dramaturgy and non-fiction work through journalism and podcasting (featured on NPR's "Student Podcast Challenge").

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After a sell-out, OffComm-winning try-out run in 2021, this double bill of one-act, gay-themed comedy dramas returns for its first full production run. Both plays have been substantially revised and improved since that development run. The plays both portray the differences of perspective, the insecurities and the simple misunderstandings – sometimes heart-breaking, often hilarious – between men who grew up in different eras, with different expectations and values.
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