Mark’s Score: 4 stars
It is over 25 years since Relative Merits first played at The Stables Theatre. This is its fourth revival and it is a welcomed contribution to the Sydney theatre scene. It serves as a timely reminder of a world coping with the scourge of HIV/AIDS, while still working a piece of sophisticated story telling. Contemporary theatre may have moved on from gay plays that deal solely with AIDS and death, however for younger audiences Relative Merits should fascinate, with older theatre-goers finding it moving and reminiscent.
The play is set in the early 1990s and tells the tale of two brothers re-entering each other’s lives after a ten year period of estrangement. Clay (Isaac Broadbent) is now 19 and washes up on the doorstep of his famous footballer brother Adam (Samuel Welsh). Adam shocks his younger sibling by his openness about his sexuality, to which Clay acts out violently while echoing the anti-gay sentiments of the small country town they both hail from. Moreover we are subjected to the horrendous attitude of a third character, their unseen mother, and her fire and brimstone Catholicism.
Director Porter James has tempered the heaviness of the drama with some cunning use of the space and eliciting a lot of the humour from the script which lands well and often. El Rocco Theatrette is not the easiest space to utilise, however capitalising on its intimacy and playing in traverse we are virtually in the lap of the actors and the flow of movement is captivating. Lachlan Steele’s sound and lighting assists the proceedings with restraint. Stylistically some less robust performance could have been found for variation allowing for more subtle use of voice. Having said that it is a joy to experience the work of younger actors with excellent diction and sound characterisation. A highlight is a vigorous well staged wrestle that goes on my list as best fight scene thus far this year- the other talents of Mr James (Movement and Choreographer) shining through here.
The journey Messrs Broadhurst and Welsh enact is finely tailored. They are both exciting actors to watch and clearly listen to each other in performance. Some development in stillness and thought would ground the more demanding emotional scenes. Nevertheless the narrative has a strong sense of suspenseful “what will happen next” so all kudos to the writing of Barry Lowe for keeping the action going. Mr Lowe has (had) an appropriate ear 
for the vernacular of these youthful characters, especially Clay. Perhaps it is my own prejudice but the highly literate utterances from Adam at times seemed unfounded. Is there an element lacking in the writing here to explain why a professional football player from a disadvantaged rural background expresses himself so eloquently? In reflection I can readily embrace the concept that a man at the crossroads of life, rejected from the sporting world and facing imminent death, may well become quite the philosopher. However this is left unexplained. The culmination in the rekindling of these fellows’ brotherly love is very potent and Clay’s newfound life away from familial small- mindedness evolves into his own liberated sexuality, which is nicely left hanging in our imagination. This assuages somewhat the eventual tragedy at the end of the play.
This is a strongly recommended evening in the theatre in a newly discovered venue for me. Do catch it as it is not on for long.
Mark G Nagle – Theatre Now
Relative Merits
Barry Lowe
10 – 25 July 2019
Wed, Thu & Sun 8:30pm
Venue: El Rocco Theatrette
154 Brougham St , Potts Point
Theatre Company: Lambert House Enterprises and LHE Agency
Duration: N/A
Written in 1993 as a vehicle to showcase the talents of a very young David Campbell. Relative Merits went on to tour nationally followed by a further life as a theatre-in-education staple – always to enormous box office and critical acclaim.
During this time actors such as Scott Fergusson and Anthony Cogin joined David as the co-lead. The play was revived in 2013 at the King St Theatre in Newtown for a short season (twice extended) this time starring Jeff Teale and James Wright.
Now at the intimate El Rocco Theatrette in Kings Cross, in the post-marriage equality world, it will feature Sam Welsh and Isaac Broadbent, directed by Porter James.
Relative Merits is the story of a football hero who suddenly and mysteriously retires from the sport. It is also the story of his homophobic brother and their difficult – but ultimately loving – relationship.
The play, set in 1993, is a historical reflection of the times but is made timely again by the current controversy surrounding another footballer under different – but equally disturbing – circumstances.
Celebrating the 26th anniversary of Relative Merits, this production features two outstanding new Australian talents. WAAPA graduate SAM WELSH, who has been making a name for himself of late in the 78/91 Treehouse shows, is joined by recent NIDA grad ISAAC BROADBENT as his naïve but well intentioned brother. Isaac has most recently starred in Jungle Book at Vaucluse House.
Ticket Prices
Tickets $25 / $20 concession
