Fucking Men
Image: Photo: Bob Seary
Fucking Men will premiere in Sydney this Mardi Gras, but the play itself has been done thousands of times. The original 1897 play La Ronde has been adapted for both gay and straight audiences, for musical theatre and cinema, and is a staple at comedy festivals internationally.
As a gay man, New Theatre director Mark G. Nagle stresses that finding a “gay” play is never his priority. It has to be a great story, he says.
Fucking Men is a very simple story: it’s about six different men who all need each other in one way or another, and their sexual interactions.
As visceral as that may sound – especially given the name – audiences can expect to be greeted with a graceful, highly philopsphical performance. After all, this is art, not pornography, Nagle clarifies.
“It’s not rough; it’s very sweet. It’s in your face, but it’s to do with respect and kindness,” he tells City Hub.
Accomplished musical director Matthew Raymond and composer Anthea Pelino were also brought on board to supply original music for the play. What they produced was so good, Nagle says, he extending the play from one act to two.
And again, despite the raunchy title, Nagle describes the sex in the play as ‘very subtle.’ Although he admits with a cheeky laugh that “the actors ain’t wearing much. I couldn’t help myself.”
Feb 6-Mar 10. New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown. $20-$35+b.f.. Tickets & Info: www.newtheatre.org.au
