Writer: Paul Bradshaw
Director: Imogen Frances
Tell Me Straight exists as a brilliant contradiction, delighting audiences with a queer love story all about… straight men.
After finding success as part of King’s Head Theatre’s 2021 Queer Season, the production is now playing at Chiswick Playhouse during LGBTQ+ History Month. Led by Paul Bradshaw, who wrote the piece, original cast members George Greenland and Stephanie Levi-John also return.
The cast collaborate brilliantly to deliver the story of Him, played by Bradshaw, who has sworn off booze, fast food and shagging for 30 days in an effort to break his cycle of self-destructive behaviour. Greenland takes on a lot of the legwork multi-roling as Him’s best friend Matt, the flirtatious but closeted Scotsman Ryan, and fellow actor Liam who Him befriends over a series of auditions. His characterisation of each role is extremely strong and, though simple costume changes do assist the process, his transitions between the various love interests are instantly distinguishable.
Meanwhile Levi-John’s electric personality, delivering judgement and advice as best friend Dani, is resigned to voice messages as a purely aural presence. This is likely a logistical choice for the small-scale production, and actually quite fitting as Him lets his best friend take a backseat to his romantic pursuits, but feels slightly disappointing nonetheless.
The concept of gay men being in love with straight men has long been perpetuated, whether as ammo for homophobia or cheap storylines in 90’s flicks. Bradshaw has done a phenomenal job of delivering an honest portrayal of this narrative which is highly nuanced and not at all clichéd.
There are indeed members of the queer male community who find themselves drawn to the ‘forbidden fruit’ of straight men and do find companionship, however brief, with ‘straight’ men who are curious. However, these types of relationships aren’t always stable and therefore pursuing them can be an unfulfilling and even dangerous venture.
Bradshaw has written a piece which reflects this reality in an honest and unromantic way, but it is by no means a bleak experience. In fact, so many moments of the show are laugh-out-loud funny due to Bradshaw’s acute understanding of comedy. He displays a real understanding and natural ability in both his writing and delivery, resulting in jokes which feel spontaneous, unlaboured and fresh.
Tell Me Straight is an intelligent insight into a reality of the queer community masquerading as a crowd-pleasing comedy. The tone of the piece is balanced superbly and, with the public attention it has already received, this production surely has a bright future.
Runs until 26 February 2022
