(Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre)
'The Homosexuals, or Faggots' opens with a gay couple, stereotypically effeminate in body language and behaviour, speaking to unseen guests at their dinner party about a dining experience that traumatised them. The trauma arose from a menu item, 'faggots', which generates a play on words. The couple, obviously unaware of the traditional British meal of 'faggots' (a ball or roll of seasoned chopped liver, baked or fried), are furious at being confronted by what they only know to be a derogatory term for homosexuals.
The play then opens up to issues of identity and tolerance. There are mistaken identities galore and gender identities are brought to the fore. The latter half of the play is performed as a farce with characters slamming doors, hiding in cavities and generally racing around at breakneck speed. Genevieve Lemon seems to have the best lines or at least makes the best of her lines and she makes the best impression. The others try hard and have their moments.
✮✮1/2
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