8 June 2016
Exploring the Male Psyche, By a Woman
Off The Avenue Productions brings New Zealand playwright Geraldine Brophy’s The Viagra Monologues to Australia at the Blood Moon Theatre, Kings Cross. All Theatre editor Eleanor Pearson spoke to director Samuel Lucas Allen.
Samuel Lucas Allen epitomises a key premise of Off The Avenue Productions: to give young, upcoming, local artists a chance to shine. Creative director Andrew Beban handpicked the 21-year-old Redfern resident to direct the independent theatre company’s second play of its first season. |
The Viagra Monologues
Season Starting: Thursday, 16th of June (click on "Upcoming Events" for exact times.) Address: Blood Moon Theatre, World Bar 24 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross 2011 |
“I feel very privileged to be approached by Andrew,” said Allen, who is in his third year of a Communications double major degree at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS).
But what was the appeal of the piece?
“As a uni student, I’m interested in gender politics.” Allen said. “This play is entirely about stereotypes of masculinity, but it goes deeper than that.”
“As a uni student, I’m interested in gender politics.” Allen said. “This play is entirely about stereotypes of masculinity, but it goes deeper than that.”
On the face of it, 15 monologues delivered by three male actors on the subject of masculinity and male sexuality, written by a woman, does seem slightly incongruous. After all the play begs comparison to the female-empowerment episodic play The Vagina Monologues by American feminist writer Eve Ensler.
According to Allen, The Viagra Monologues speaks its truth on a different level. “It is the truth about how masculinity is constructed and perceived within societies.” How successful has playwright Geraldine Brophy been in imagining the male perspective? “To a degree truth can be imagined…I think she’s done a fantastic job of taking on societal stereotypes. Is it as truthful as The Vagina Monologues? Probably not.” |
Nevertheless as opening night approaches, Allen described watching the play come to life as “an emotional rollercoaster.”
“It is a journey from a cheerful, irreverent place, to a meaningful, darker world, and it ends on a spiritual note.”
As a director, Allen said three monologues stood out for him:
The story of Bryan (John Molyneux), a middle-aged man, who, after being robbed at knifepoint, confronts his teenaged Maori assailant in court, and in doing so, owns his own identity as a Maori man, and “elders” the teen.
Allen described the story of Colin (Meynard Penalosa), a battered husband, as the dramatic highlight of the text. (“It tells the story of abuse without gender, and it’s done with sensitivity.”)
Allen also said while circus-trained actor Tom Matthews’ portrayal of a male gigolo was “not the darkest or most controversial monologue”, it would keep audiences guessing.
The Viagra Monologues plays June 16-July 2, 2016
Performers and Crew
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Samuel Lucas Allen
Emily Sigglekow and Bella Sigglekow Andrew Beban |