Cast: Hayley Atwell, Harry Hadden-Paton, Al Weaver, Mathew Horne Synopsis: Philip, Oliver and Sylvia exist in a complex love triangle, which spans over half a century, living and loving simultaneously in 1958 and the present against a background of changing attitudes towards homosexuality. Past and present worlds grind together and melt apart, yet the future and its promise of sexual liberation remains ever elusive, as societal repression gives way to self-deception.
The third play in the Trafalgar Transformed season from director Jamie Lloyd opened at the Trafalgar Studios this week. The Pride, from playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell, is a funny, charming and passionate look at attitudes to homosexuality traversing fifty years and the relationships that changed along the way. We begin in 1958 with married couple Philip (Harry Hadden-Paton) and Sylvia (Hayley Atwell) who invite a friend Oliver (Al Weaver) over for dinner. A connection between Philip and Oliver leads to the beginning of a four month affair. Flash forward to present day and a very different set of circumstances. Philip and Oliver (same names, different characters) are a gay couple who have just split up after Oliver admitting cheating on Philip with random strangers and Oliver uses his friend Sylvia to comfort him over his loss. Each relationship must deal with the consequences of decisions made and the play highlights the struggles between repressions of homosexuality fifty years ago compared to the struggles a somewhat liberated gay couple face in present day; the idea of being addicted to anonymous sex with a stranger in a park impossible to imagine for our 1950’s characters. The play weaves between the two time periods seamlessly highlighting the tension, misery and sheer loneliness these characters are experiencing. The four cast members, with Mathew Horne playing several smaller roles throughout the play, give honest and thought provoking portrayals of their characters. Hayley Atwell is understated and prim as the 1950’s wife dealing with her husband’s betrayal and buoyant and bubbly as present day Sylvia falling in love like a teenager. She carries off each character with genuine thoughtfulness and great sincerity.
The stand out performer of The Pride is undoubtedly Al Weaver. As 1950’s Oliver he is reticent with simple ideals about what love should be and he captures with a heart-breaking performance the despair Oliver is going through. As present day Oliver he continues to portray the loneliness, this time coming from anonymous sex and a supposedly more liberal society. His interactions with a lads mag editor who wants to exploit his reader’s envy of the gay lifestyle are witty, understated and superb to watch. The Pride is a frank and honest play which asks its audience to consider how gay relationships and the attitudes towards them have changed in the last fifty years. In a society where gay rights are constantly in our headlines the play is aware of this and actively seeks to encourage debate and discussion; the actors held up ‘To Russia, With Love’ placards at the opening night curtain call in reference to Russia’s new anti-gay legislation.
The play first premiered in 2008 but is still deeply topical today, not just with regards to gay rights, but for anyone who has experienced self-doubt and loneliness. A play full of emotional depth that will leave you with much to think about, The Pride is currently booking until 9th November and you can book your tickets here.
