Torch Song Trilogy

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Date Reviewed: 01/08/2018

Torch Song Trilogy has returned to Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s line-up with a bang, almost 5 years after the company last produced this inciteful mammoth play. Written by Harvey Fierstein, the production excels under director Stephen Colyer. It is running until 26th August.

Torch Song Trilogy isn’t your run of the mill theatre story. It actually consists of 3 separate plays, or ‘Acts’ that tell tales of love and loss through the lens of 20th Century homosexual Arnold. In Act 1, we find Arnold head over heels in love with Ed and by night working as a drag queen. Although Arnold’s loneliness is a recurring theme in the play, it is felt strongest in Act 1. Following on is Act 2, where Arnold has found a lover – Alan, as they find themselves at Ed and his Fiancée’s country home for a weekend filled with he said-she saids and debauchery. And finally, in Act 3 we find Arnold confronted with the all too real topic of familial acceptance, as his mother earnestly tries to offer love and support but is trapped by her old-fashioned values. 

Every single person in the 6-man cast performs their role with such vigour and conviction that you at times feel the play is reality, and you are a fly on the wall. Simon Corfield is especially phenomenal as Arnold, possibly in part due to this being his reprisal of the role. Carefully placed songs by Hilary Cole and Tim Draxl are executed perfectly and enhance the tone of each scene brilliantly, exposing the raw suffering Arnold experiences through each Act. In the final Act Kate Raison, as Ma, adds a lighter tone which is invigorating in a play that is predominantly sombre.

Both the set and props for Torch Song Trilogy are superb and match the scenes effortlessly. However, the true steal comes from lighting that is well considered and perfectly executed. Unfortunately, at times there were issues with the sound where a loud popping bang was heard. The volume and suddenness of this was quite overwhelming to an audience enthralled in the story.

The play is so well written, and produced with such sincerity, that Torch Song Trilogy engrosses you into the world of living an ‘out’ life in the 20th century, and leaves you questioning, has anything really changed? Torch Song Trilogy is an experience like no other with a high quality production value that will leave you feeling Arnold’s pain long after Torch Song Trilogy has ended. 

Review written by Cassie Cheeseman.