Relative Merits

Relative Merits, written by Australian playwright Barry Lowe in 1993, is a one-act two-hander originally created to showcase the acting talents of young actor David Campbell. Since the early 90s, Relative Merits has had many seasons, with its newest coming to El Rocco Theatrette in Kings Cross this July. The Australian LGBTQI+ play has become a classic over the years, telling the story of two brothers and their grapple with homosexuality, homophobia, and their journey to acceptance. 

Directed by Porter James, Relative Merits stars Sam Welsh and Isaac Broadbent. Both upcoming, young Australian actors, the pair have taken on their challenging roles head-on. Isaac spoke with City Hub about the intensity of working on a two-hander play.

“It’s a lot more vulnerable. In this show, we’re really baring ourselves, and even the venue itself is a very intimate space.”

Isaac described the rehearsal space and the director’s approach to guiding the two actors through the themes of the play saying, “Our director Porter James has allowed us to create the characters for ourselves and have some creative freedom with it.”

Relative Merits will be staged almost like a boxing ring, with the audience witnessing the brother’s sparring from close range. Isaac said of the intimate staging, “Stripping it back makes it a lot more raw and a lot more vulnerable which is scary but also so much more interesting.”

Relative Merits is one of those plays that has been immune to time – in 1993, it was a poignant and daring piece. Now, in 2019, the play is just as relevant as 26 years ago but in a whole new way. Isaac summed this up in a striking and beautiful way by saying, “I want audiences to experience how hard it can be but how important it is for people to love and accept each other for who they are. Love between human beings is the most important thing.”

Jul 10-25. El Rocco Theatrette, 154 Brougham Street, Kings Cross. $20-$25+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.trybooking.com

By Madison Behringer.