Theatre
By The Last Great Hunt
PICA Performance Space
Wednesday 4th February
Review by Michael Nield

Two friends recount stories of the months leading up to a mutual friends (and ex-lover’s) wedding. Jimmy (Jeffrey Jay Fowler) struggles to get over his breakup with boyfriend Tim while trailing through Grindr hookups, guilt spirals, loneliness and self-doubt. Corgan (Chris Isaacs) is reminded of his romantic misfortune as he attempts to fill the space left by his soon to be married ex-girlfriend Tamara.

Jimmy’s exuberance and playfulness is intoxicating. Even as he launched into gritty and confronting stories Fowler kept the audience on-side. Though we lost some of Jimmy’s dialogue early on, rushing haphazardly through supposedly casual observations, he settled into the role quickly and was the clear crowd favourite throughout.

Corgan on the other hand is stiff, arrogant and plain. I expected to hate or love him but his generic obnoxiousness failed to make me feel either way. Isaacs’ portrayal of Corgan struck me as a little too safe and normal. An entitled twenty something with very little going for him but nothing to really turn me off, I would have liked to see more of the arrogance and hubris that Corgan’s story seemed to promise.

FAG/STAG is cleverly woven together. The breaks, emphasis and pause in the dialogue were well timed and the jokes well received. Imagery evocative of the night lives of these young men rung true and the audience was engaged from start to finish.

Use of space was breathtakingly simple and startlingly effective, though a clearer performative distinction between the characters passive and active listening would have strengthened staging decisions and the characters relationships early on.

Corgan and Jimmy’s relationship is an interesting one; their struggles are honest and endearing. Stumbling through life and love with Jimmy and Corgan is highly entertaining particularly as they explore a unique friendship, its pitfalls and its strengths. Crafted well and fabulously performed FAG/STAG is another great production from local company The Last Great Hunt.

FAG/STAG runs until Saturday 7th February.
You can buy tickets and find more information in the Fringe program here.
To find out more about this local company visit their website.