Boys on the Verge of Tears review

A public bathroom is a private moment to do one's business. For most people, you're in and you're out. But in Boys on the Verge of Tears, a public bathroom becomes a confessional of sorts, as 40 male characters spill their secrets, fears, and repressed feelings regarding masculinity, from the safety of these fluorescent-lit walls.

With a cast of five actors - Ben Walter, Karl Richmond, Justin Hosking, Damon Baudin, and Akeel Purmanund - the talented ensemble showcases exceptional chemistry and skill. Under Keegan Bragg’s direction, they execute seamless and surprising character transitions complete with swift costume changes. Vocal coach Matt Furlani has achieved brilliant results in bringing out the London accents, and even when racing through dialogue or falling into drug-induced stupors, the performers convincingly maintain their accents.

It's Sam Grabiner's script however, that stumbles and confuses. His intent is clear, but the execution leads to long-winded conversations that barely scratch the surface of masculinity. While the opening and closing scenes serve as a nice mirror to each other, both overstay their welcome. The first scene would benefit from a trimming as we can grasp its purpose within minutes of it beginning and how it ties into the greater theme. The final one, though touching, is out of place and could be cut entirely, with the preceding vignette involving a pair of cleaners serving as a far more effective way to end the show.

The most fascinating account comes from a lengthy visit to a nightclub toilet, where Jo (Purmanund), a young man grapples with his masculinity and sexuality through fleeting interactions with random strangers. His exchanges with a trainee nurse and drag queens allow him to consider a different life, but his drug and alcohol use plunges him into a nightmare, where an encounter by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse blurs the line between reality and hallucination.

Ethan Hunter displays impressive work with the limited sound design options available for a public bathroom, especially during this clubbing episode where the music initially reverberates within the walls but modulates how it is heard the further we delve into Jo's state of mind.

Georgina Wolfe's lighting design lends personality to the bathroom. She provides sufficient lighting for washing and grooming, but it never feels warm or inviting, conveying the idea of risk and danger these men face in exposing their true feelings.

Ben Andrews' set makes excellent use of the space, creating a realistic yet spacious public bathroom. Its brutal minimalism, along with shoddy cubicle doors and graffiti, gives this place a distinctive yet familiar feel, one we've all been to plenty of times, literally and metaphorically.

Through moments of raw confessions, Boys on the Verge of Tears transforms the public bathroom from a mere restroom into a stage for vulnerability, humour, and connection. Committed performances, strong design elements and considered direction help bring this production together, but the story would gain from a sharper edit to make its message more focused and impactful.

Show Details

Venue: fortyfive downstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Season: until 30 March | Tues - Sat 7:30pm, Sun 5pm
Duration: 110 minutes

Tickets: $49 Full | $39 Concession
Bookings: fortyfive downstairs

Image credits: Ben Andrews