Theatre Review: Boys' Life, The Basement

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This 1980s character-driven drama of manners is billed as a "battle of the sexes" but the friendships between the three leading men are the real engine and intriguing core of the play.

How does the 20-something alpha male react when his sidekicks start to rebel? How do they react when he tries to talk about (ew) his feelings? The dynamics are as subtle, bitchy and complicated as those of the supposedly catty gender.

American playwright Howard Korder dissects stock characters in original ways: the arrogant man-about-town (Joel Herbert), the "agreeable" follower with the whipped dog look (Pete Coates) and the Woody Allen-esque nervous goober (Andrew Ford). All three leads in this Outfit Theatre production are self-assured, excellent actors who know their characters extremely well.

While the five female actors are good, their characters and the romantic relationships aren't as well-developed as the men - but then, we see them from the men's point of view. Or perhaps from the playwright's: "I say I want to help people but I don't," says sexy rich-girl jogger Maggie (Jacqui Nauman). "Why doesn't that bother me?"

Apart from a problematic gender essentialism, encapsulated in the line "a man by any other name would still smell," the script is well-written, full of perceptive one-liners and comic (but hitting) odes to misery. Phil (Ford) is fearful of being alone, whereas Jack (Herbert), contemplating an affair, relishes the freedom of isolation "because there's no one watching".

As it's the 80s, we get The Bangles, bouffant side ponytails and John Parker's bedroom set of neutral minimalism - quickly messed up with clothes. Director Sam Shore's quick whirlwinds of party people between the small scenes keep the energy high.

At $25, it's well worth observing these personalities, their tense vulnerability and their bluff. They were real enough that, on the way home afterwards, we gossiped about them and what they thought they were doing.

What: Boys' Life.

Where: The Basement, Greys Ave

When: To April 23