Boys’ Life under the knife on stage

Sexual insecurity among under-30 males is being put under the comic microscope at Melville Theatre this July and August. Written by Howard Korder and directed by Geoffrey Leeder, Boys’ Life was originally nominated for a 1988 Pulitzer Prize and follows three young men and their misadventures with women. But forget modern-day metrosexuals or sensitive new-age men, says Leeder – this trio is sexist, rude and immature. “Their encounters with women show them for what they really are, which is jerks,” he said. “But young men like this really exist. “I was on the train and a group of blokes were mouthing off about their sexual conquests and generally being twits. At the time, I thought they had stepped from the pages of my script! “I’m sure the audience will find characters they’re able to relate to in some way and I have a feeling some guys will be squirming in their seats.” Originally seeing an extract of Boys’ Life performed by graduating third-year WA Academy of Performing Arts students, Leeder was so intrigued he tracked down the script. “What I saw was so different from usual theatre, I became determined to stage the play one day,” he said. “It’s not a traditional play where you have two acts and a break in the middle for a cup of tea. “Boys’ Life is about 90 minutes and doesn’t have the usual beginning, middle and end – it’s a series of nine scenes in different locations, so the audience will be asked to use their imagination more than usual.” Describing Boys’ Life as “a comedy with a difference”, Leeder says the show will be contemporary with a minimal set and different locations indicated by lighting changes and different positions on stage. Boys’ Life plays at 8pm, July 30, 31, August 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14 with a 2pm matinee on August 1. Tickets are $17, $13 concession – book on 9330 4565 or email melville.theatre.company@gmail.com. Melville Theatre is on the corner of Stock Road and Canning Highway, Palmyra.