Review | ‘Homos, or Everyone in America’ at London’s Finsborough Theatre
Jordan Seavey's hit 2016 play finally arrives in the UK.
By Steve Brown
American writer Jordan Seavey asks questions about what it means to be gay now that marriage equality is with us and social attitudes have significantly changed, in the west at least.
His new play, Homos, or everyone in America, charts the relationship between two American gay men (we never know their names) over five years between 2006 and 2011, the timelines jumping back and forth, never really knowing where we are until the writer deftly weaves together plot threads to a satisfyingly climactic finish.
Most of the play is concerned with the lovers arguing about the intricacies of gay politics – what relationship we have with mainstream morality, if they are allowed to find other people attractive, if they are allowed to act on it, what responsibility famous people have to come out and so on.
The arguments are made passionately and the two leads, Tyrone Huntley and Harry McEntire, give impressive, intense performances which is no mean feat considering both are onstage, delivering quick fire dialogue, for almost all of the one hour 45 minute one act play.
This is unfortunately what lets the play down. It feels more concerned with their relationship with queer issues rather than their relationship with each other which makes it hard to emotionally engage with them as a couple.
That said, there’s lots to like here. Award winning, rising directorial talent Josh Seymour brings energy and writer Seavey obviously has lots to say so it’ll be interesting to see what he does next.
It’ s satisfying to relive moments of triumph such as when gay marriage came in and ponder how it affected our lives, rather than whether it was good or bad for society, as it was so often framed in the mainstream.
It’s also poignant to remember a time when we were just worried about George W Bush. You can feel the passion and pride the entire company has for this production and it’s satisfying to see a well produced play about gay lives in such an intimate space.
Rating: 3/5
The show is running at London’s Finsborough Theatre until September 1.
Words by Matthew Todd