'Torch Song Trilogy' at The Choccy Factory

Last week I went to see 'Torch Song Trilogy' at the Menier Chocolate Factory. The Choccy Factory has a good track record of productions transferring into the West End and, sometimes, to Broadway ('Sunday In The Park With George', 'La Cage Aux Folles' and 'A Little Night Music') so it's always interesting to see one of its new productions. This was directed by Douglas Hodge who starred in 'La Cage Aux Folles' at the Choccy, in the West End and on Broadway.

'Torch Song Trilogy' is just that, a trilogy of short plays that focus on the life of Arnold, a drag queen in New York. It was written by and originally starred Harvey Fierstein so it's hard not to think of it as being at least partly autobiographical and with some of the phrasing you can almost hear his voice saying the lines. In this production Arnold is played by David Bedella, the physical opposite of Harvey and some of the lines could've been amended to reflect this (such as references to how fat he was when David is a skinny little thing).

I could also be terribly picky about the second play set on a giant bed with the four protagonists hiding under the duvet one minute and saying lines in different formations of the four characters the next. This isn't terribly enlightening or do much to carry the plot forward but I could've forgive much if it wasn't for the increasingly exuberant somersaulting across the bed. Rather than pay attention to the play I was worried they might bounce off the bed onto the hard floor.

Anyway, Arnold is gay and out in late 70s New York and we follow his life from finding Mr Right to being dumped in favour of a woman. Ed is bisexual, you see. Or wants to be. Arnold finds a young man while Ed marries, then the marriage flounders and Arnold's lover is killed for being gay. The final play sees Ed staying with Arnold as his marriage folds, along with Arnold's foster-son, when Arnold's mother arrives from Florida. Cue lots of misunderstandings and arguments. The play has obviously dated in parts but I can well imagine how shocking it must have been to theatre-goers in the early-80s, seeing aspects of gay life that weren't broadcast, particularly with HIV and AIDS just around the corner.  

I enjoyed it. I've seen David Bedella in 'Jerry Springer: The Opera' and in 'Roadshow' (at the Choccy Factory last year) and he carried off the lead role with a knowing nod to the audience. I also liked Joe McFadden as Ed and he clearly grew and developed during the three plays. My favourite though, was Sara Kestelman as Arnold's mother and she played it to a T. She knows her son is gay but can't understand it no matter how much she pretends she does. After a blazing row the night before she leaves as her son is filled with joy that his adopted son has a record played for him on the radio - her look as she closed the door clearly signalled that once tempers have cooled she'll be back to heckle her son again, the relationship is intact.

This is definitely worth seeing - it doesn't seem to be revived very often so take advantage while you can and see this quality production.