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Outing

 
Alexander Williams Review by Alexander Williams 2 Published: 20 Aug 2024 Hen & Chickens Theatre Show Dates: 19 Aug 2024-20 Aug 2024

Written and directed by L.T. Hewitt, Outing opens at the end of a house party where the fatigued host Adam reveals to his friend Jamie that he has broken up with his girlfriend and is now gay. Spurred on by this revelation, and his inebriated state, Jamie returns the confidence by confessing he feels there’s an 80% chance he might be gay too.

A topic worthy of exploration but this play throws no new light on the conversation

From this sitcom-style premise spins an hour of inconsequential dialogue in which Jamie and his girlfriend develop their relationship in a series of vignettes, but fail to explore the doubts Jamie is supposedly experiencing around his sexuality.

The only time these doubts are surfaced is when Adam is back on stage, attacking his friend with a stream of ‘are you sure you’re not gay’ questions which feel entirely inappropriate given they’re based exclusively on the drunken confession of five years prior. The whole thing feels divorced from reality.

Indeed, it also feels incredibly outdated, with little awareness of the new ways people discuss and reflect on sexuality. There is a token throw away line which lists every identity in the LGBTQI+ pantheon as if it’s a tick box exercise, but nuance and insight are absent.

Time is wasted on shuffling boxes around in scene transitions which hold up rather than progress the story, while unnecessary props like tennis balls are distracting and cause jokes to fall flat. The cast of three, led by Joshua Shea as Jamie, are affable and energetic, but for some reason all wear primary colour T-shirts that make them look like members of a children’s pop group.

Outing proves that the plight of gay men stuck in straight relationships, and the consequences to girlfriends and wives, is a topic worthy of exploration. But unfortunately this play throws no new light on the conversation.

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The Blurb:

This comedy-drama tells the story of Jamie, who drunkenly confesses to openly gay friend Adam that he might also be gay, before meeting the woman of his dreams and trying his best to ignore his inner doubts. As their perfect relationship progresses, a romantic weekend in Paris ending with a proposal seems like a no-brainer. The play asks how and why closeted men can stay in relationships with women, and what the difference is between a sham relationship and a genuine relationship with unstable foundations. Our recent show 'Slush Pile' was well-received and included sell-out shows at The Bread & Roses and Etcetera, as well as gaining a four-star review from West End Best Friend.