Sydney Reviews

(l-r) Jon Haynes and David Woods. Photos Heidrun Lohr.

Rub a dub dub, two men in a tub and who do you think they be? Two German tourists sitting and chatting in a Jacuzzi in Bangkok. Before you ask, neither of them is gay.

Tough Time, Nice Time, is the second of two productions by Ridiculusmus, David Woods and Jon Haynes. The first was a two handed version of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance Of Being Earnest. The pair have a strong cult following in Britain, being known for their anarchic brand of theatre.

The two guys walk out on stage and plonk themselves in the tub. They have as much chance of getting out, as their conversation has of going somewhere. Most of the play is spent discussing topics common among straight men such as anal sex, butt plugs and money boys. Where they succeed is in creating a totally natural conversation. We could indeed be witness to two not really gay men having a chin wag in a spa. The trouble is nothing much happens. Compared to the sensually rich Scorched and the thought provoking black humour of The Pillowman, the last show for the year at upstairs Belvior is a bit of a let down.

Martin (Haynes) a lawyer has agreed to tell his story to Stefan (Wood), who works in publishing. Martin’s story starts with the death of a young man and works backwards from there. According to Stefan, all stories resemble an existing movie. During the conversation Stefan mentions The Constant Gardener, The Lord of War, Munich and most of the other movies that were popular at the time the play was conceived. Perhaps the biggest mystery of the play is why Stefan is not in film instead of publishing.

Ironically the play confirms Stefan’s view that we need all the stylised conventions of genre to tell interesting stories. Two men in a tub just aint that interesting.


Company B presents
Tough time, nice time
Ridiculusmus

Venue: Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry HillsDates: 4 – 21 December
Times: Tuesday 6.30pm, Wednesday to Friday 8pm, Saturday 2pm & 8pm, Sunday 5pm.
Tickets: Full $54. Seniors (excluding Fri/Sat evenings) and Groups 10+ $45. Concession $33.
Student Rush $25 for Tuesday 6.30pm and Saturday 2pm, available from 10am on the day (subject to availability)
Bookings: 9699 3444 or www.belvoir.com.au