JADAR

★★★★☆

Going Out Out is a brand-new play with music about a grieving widower who comes to terms with his loss through drag.

Since losing his wife, Ian (James Quinn) has stopped going out completely (except to water the garden), to the point that a local charity gets his shopping. One day, Raz (Darren Kuppan) comes over with his groceries to find that Ian is, surprisingly, not home, so he goes to leave the bags in the backyard to find Ian wearing his late wife’s dress – because it helps him feel closer to her (and because he likes to wear something loose fitting on hot days!). Raz, a gay man and a drag queen, is completely supportive of Ian, and an unlikely friendship is formed.

Less supportive is his daughter, Lauren (Verity Henry), with whom he has a complicated relationship (he is estranged from his son). Ian, on his own, decides that he wants to give drag a go – at the working men’s club where Raz performs fortnightly… which is run by his daughter.

Barney Norris’ nuanced script does a wonderful job of exploring the motions of grief and how different people react differently to it. Lauren later refers to her late mother as “a terror”, telling Raz that Ian’s romantic image of his wife is perhaps making it harder for him to move on. But some of the play’s ideas, including this phenomenon, are half-baked. Lauren and Ian never have an honest conversation about this, and Ian’s closing monologue, about his late wife, is incredibly sentimental; Lauren listens adoringly, as if she had not just called her mother a terror – though I appreciate that she is letting her father have his moment.

The monologue itself, performed during Ian’s big performance to Chris de Burgh’s ‘The Lady in Red’, is one of the most touching tributes to somebody (dead or alive, real or fictional) that I have ever heard. My icy friend, Madison, was in tears.

The story also intelligently, and respectfully, explores generational attitudes to everything from mental illness to homosexuality, with Ian being open to learning. The script never vilifies Ian or renders him hateful; it acknowledges that bigotry often stems from ignorance. Raz is very aware of this, and he gently guides Ian along the way, without ever preaching at or lecturing him. It is his daughter, Lauren (who resists telling him that she is gay), who gives him a telling off when he drunkenly refers to Raz as a “puff” (when he is not there) because he feels betrayed by Raz’ decision to move to Portugal. It’s a shame we never got to see Lauren come out to her dad.

The writing feels a little clunky at first but I appreciate that it is trying to convey awkwardness. James fumbled a few of his lines but it actually worked for the character, who is, unsurprisingly, a blubbering mess to begin with.

Director and developer Jess Edwards makes wonderful use of the space. In act two, Miriam Nabarro’s attractive set is spun around, transforming Ian’s living room into Lauren’s club. Adam Foley’s slick lighting goes from intimate to showstopping, ending with a rainbow.

At the stage right, there is a mini stage and disco ball where the two men perform a few numbers, with Raz opting for more modern songs, beginning with Jax Jones and Joel Corry’s ‘Out Out’ (where the title comes from), and Raz preferring older stuff, à la Dusty Springfield. Whilst Gloria Gaynor’s disco cover of ‘I Am What I Am’ from La Cage aux Folles is an obvious choice, it was fortunately not chosen as Ian’s big closing number, which would have felt unoriginal and uninspired. The songs have been beautifully arranged by Duramaney Kamara (also Sound Designer/Composer) and Jordan Paul Clarke (also Music Director). Darren has a great voice. James is not a strong singer but does a good job with those big songs, always conveying emotion and feeling.

Nabarro’s costumes are mostly great. Raz’ first outfit is incredibly funky – I’d wear it! Ian’s drag costume is sickly camp-tastic. But Raz’ joggers, with taping at the sides, did not werk with those kinky boots, and I’ve bought better wigs off Shein.

Going Out Out is a moving exploration of grief. It will have you giggling throughout and possibly shedding a few tears at the end. At its heart, it shows us how we can get through things with the love of others but also through learning to love ourselves – as Whitney said, that is the greatest love of all… Glitter and Be Gay!

Going Out Out runs at HOME (Theatre 2) until November 1.

Photo: Chris Payne