Theatre Australia

your portal for australian theatre

I Could Take My Gun Out And Shoot You

Sun, 30 Jan 2005, 10:48 pm
Walter Plinge9 posts in thread
When I first heard about this play I must admit I had the usual expectations of a cliche ridden, predictable production dealing with gay issues that had been dealt with ad nauseum. The issues in this play are perhaps not new but what is different and compelling about this particular production is the way in which these issues are played out on stage thanks to an effective script which is pretty `spot on' and a cast of extremely promising actors. Rarely have I been to a performance where I if I didn't feel like I was part of it, I wanted to because the message of this play was clearly projected to the audience in a dramatic yet unpretentious way.

It has comedy, tragedy and mostly it's movement and timing is flawless. The cast gave excellent performances but for me, the standout performaces were Kirk, whose voice projection and facial expressions were engaging and believable, Tweed Harris, whose small role was one which gave the whole story a certain depth and of course the character those of us who have already seen the play, have come to know and love, Snap - played by James Robertson Harley. This character is immediately identifiable; colorful, funny and yet vulnerable. He makes you laugh and he also makes you realise that no matter who and what we are, we're just human beings.

Do yourselves a favour and go see this play. You will come away feeling like you've experienced a part of other people's lives which, in many ways, is so relevant to your own.

Re: I Could Take My Gun Out And Shoot You

Thu, 3 Feb 2005, 11:47 am
Walter Plinge
Wow! I came here to rave about the play but Angelina you need to be corrected. Tweed Harris' life dull? I bought and read his book. Travelling and teaching drama in Spain, Italy, North Africa, West Africa, Malaysia, China, Singapore. Starting the first all-black theatre in Nigeria. 44 years of married bliss with a gay partner. Getting married to a man (his partner) in a country which uses corporal punishment on gays. Being praised for his acting by the Queen of England. Being on stage with Sir Michael Caine and Sir Richard Attenborough. Being held overnight in jail on rape charges against a teenage girl, charges which were subsequently found to be false, of course. Being the first white man to enter a small African village and being stoned by children who had not seen a white man before. Being one of the first teachers from Australia to be exchanged with teachers in China.
Come on girl, just how much excitement do you expect in a man's life before you stop calling him dull?
By the way, anyone else reading this - go and see the play, it is first rate and the three male leads, exceptional.

Thread (9 posts)

I Could Take My Gun Out And Shoot YouWalter Plinge30 Jan 2005
← Back to Theatre Reviews