“Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey is an urban fairytale that reminds us that the things we want in life are possible. This multi-award winning play is the unlikely coming of age story of two teenagers living in a London housing estate who fall in love against all odds. Sensitive Jamie (Joakim/Joey Eriksson) would rather watch rainbows and musicals than be at school. His athletic neighbor, Ste (Derek Kwan), throws himself into sport to avoid the troubles that wait at home. Jamie's feisty mother Sandra (Christy Shapiro) juggles her job as a barmaid and her younger lover and working-class wannabe, Tony (JP Lopez). Their sassy neighbour Leah (Sophie Lloyd) has been kicked out of every school in the area and lives vicariously through her idol, Mama Cass of Mamas and the Papas fame, whose music forms the soundtrack to the play.
Adapted from the award-winning movie written by Jonathan Harvey, this play is an urban fairytale, reminding us that the things we want in life are possible. Set in a council estate in Southeast London, Beautiful Thing centers on five endearing characters who are trying to confront themselves and find true love. All proceeds from the event go toward the Chi Heng Foundation, a charity committed to educating people about HIV/AIDS and supporting those infected.”
Lisa and I met up for dinner at Metro City and then grabbed a cab. It was performed at the Zhijiang Dream Factory (芷江梦工厂）and was basically a Shanghai expat-y event where all the foreigners come out with the occasional Chinese girlfriend. The play was good and funny and the actors kept us entertained. Even though it was the story of two gay boys, the play was not overtly gay ... it was basically a love story that happened to have gay boys at its center. Joey was pretty funny and we commented that his personality was shown throughout the play because we totally saw him speaking and acting in that manner in real life.
When Jamie tells his mom he’s gay and she talks about the times when Ste stayed over at their home because of his abusive father:
Sandra Gangle (mom): And all this time I felt sorry for you for having to share a bed with Ste. But it could just be 70 minus 1.
When Jamie’s mom has her boyfriend go in to talk to Jamie:
Jamie: I’m queer!
Tony (boyfriend of mom): Wow, so does your mom know?
Jamie: *sarcastically* No, I thought I would tell you first.
1 comment:
"a Shanghai expat-y event where all the foreigners come out with the occasional Chinese girlfriend."
LMAO! Oh man, I went to an urban dance performance in HK that was EXACTLY the same... ahahahahaha.
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