“What have you done today to make you feel proud?”
It's not just a quotation from iconic M-person Heather Small, but also the pithy question posed by a new one act play by Watfordian film-maker, Ian Port. Taking three separate narratives of men growing up gay in Watford, his scripts deftly weave their real life experiences together into a fascinating evening of insight, honesty and humour. Peppered with observations and facts about the visibility (and invisibility) of gay men throughout history, this simple structure helps draw out the contrasts and parallels between the men, whose experiences span different generations.
The youngest performer, at 22, is Lee Keogh, who fizzed with affability and charm. He was a magnetic presence, filling the centre stage with his warmth, wit and, of course, his wheelchair, which he spoke about with intimate frankness. Keogh has Cerebral Palsy and the insights he shared about his experiences navigating the intersection between being gay and being disabled were extremely moving. His smile is like sunshine, and so when he opened up about his darker moments, his depression and his anxiety, it was deeply shocking and a perfect example of the searing honesty at the heart of this play.
The middle man, as it were, is Three Proud Men playwright Ian Port, who originally conceived the whole project and spearheaded its production. Wowed by the anecdotes of Bryan Timberlake, he wanted to find a way of getting them on stage and in front of a wider audience. Timberlake said he was game on the proviso that he wouldn't be up there alone. From such innocent pub conversations are wonderful works of art born! Port's story reflective, exploring with a critical eye his awareness of his own personal growth. He looked back on his past analytically, noting moments when he exploited his white privilege while working in India, or stayed silent about his sexuality when now he might speak out. His tale was an interesting reminder that social change and progress come through the work of each of us as individuals reflecting on our beliefs and behaviours.
That only leaves the elder statesman of the trio, the inspiration for the show, Bryan Timberlake. A former drag queen, jack of all trades and well versed raconteur, Bryan opened the show with a teaser about 'unusual erections' and had us in the palm of his hand thenceforth! He immediately put the audience at their ease with his twinkling eyes and impish grin. He reminded me a little of Peter Ustinov in the way he seemed stuff full of anecdotes and stories, most of which had more than a hint of naughtiness about them. The audience were left in no doubt as to why Ian felt inspired to get him on stage!
Directed by Olivier award nominee Dan Clarkson, and produced by Chris Wheeler of Harlequin Theatricals, this was a world premier and a real feather in Watford's cap. It's an honour to have three such dazzling talents declare Watford as their home and put that relationship front and centre in a dramatic work. Here I must declare an interest: as a Patron of Proud Watford I am fully invested in the aims and objectives of this feisty grassroots group, dedicated to bringing people together and championing inclusion and diversity in all its forms. I even played a song or two in the after party! But the emotional impact not just of the play itself, but the sense of celebration and support, of Watford's community coming together in an outpouring of friendship, and of the Pump House being the vibrant pulse Watford's cultural heart, is a feeling I shall cherish for a long time.
A one night only show is always going to push up against some limitations and hurdles, the most obvious of which was the cast's dependency on their scripts. But this didn't hinder the pace or the impact of the performance in any meaningful way, and small blips like the back wall being covered in pleated fabric so that the projections were obscured are easily remedied. The intention, as stated in the informal and informative post show Q&A, is to mount the show again in the forthcoming Watford Fringe. My advice: buy your tickets early. It deserves to be, and I anticipate it being, another sold out show.
