Blowing Whistles

Blowing Whistles returns to the Mardi Gras Festival as a local production after a successful reading at last year’s festival. Described by Todd as a “plea for honesty – with cock jokes”. The play follows Nigel and Jamie, a couple who have enjoyed an open relationship until they meet ‘cumboy_17’ on Mardi Gras eve. The next 24 hours conspire to have a signifi cant impact on all three lives.

“I wrote the play after I’d been dumped and was angry about the lies people tell in relationships,” says Todd. “I don’t think we treat each other very well much of the time. I think a lot of that comes from the shit we often go through growing up– and I think to get over it, we need to face up to it.”

Like many playwrights, Todd draws his characters from personal encounters. “I think all three characters are parts of me. I’ve been shy and vulnerable, I’ve made irrational decisions pursuing sex and I’ve been someone who just wants to settle down and be monogamous.”

Focus Theatre founders Pete Nettell and Alice Livingstone adapted the hit UK play to Sydney. “What appealed to me was the honesty of the writing, addressing what it means to be a modern gay couple in a long-term relationship, and the fun and pitfalls of opening up a relationship and using cyberspace to attract others,” says director Pete Nettell.

Todd says his work is geared for queers. “It’s a play for us. It’s great that straight people relate to it too– they sometimes come out after having a revelation that gay relationships go through the same ups and downs as straight ones – it’s a play that speaks to a gay audience. Why shouldn’t we have plays that deal specifi cally with our relationships, issues and lives?”

Feb 6–March 2, Belvoir Street Theatre, 8.15pm, $32 Full/$27 Cons, (Bookings 9699 3444,www.belvoir.com.au)

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