A comedy-drama is coming to Sydney next week, exploring both religion and politics in an increasingly divisive world.
Next Fall is a Tony-nominated play by Geoffrey Nauffts that follows a five-year relationship between two men with opposing worldviews: Luke, a devout Christian, and Adam, an atheist.
Director Darrin Redgate told Gay Sydney Daily that the crux of the play was how the pair navigate the complexities of that dynamic, particularly after a car crash brings Luke’s family into the picture.
“Adam has never met the family, and in fact, they don’t even know that he exists or that their son is gay,” said Redgate.
“So it’s the dynamic of Adam trying to keep his mouth shut while also being very concerned for his partner.”
It’s not the first time Redgate has worked on the play, having been involved in a production 10 years ago, and in that time his outlook on the source material has changed.
“Back in 2016 I was focussed on the religious aspects, but not so much now. I’m really focussed on families,” he said.
“With the rise of the populist right wing, you know, with the Trumps and Hansons of this world, people have become a little bit more extreme in their views, I think, and I’m really exploring how that affects the characters.”
Next Fall was written in 2008 and opened off-Broadway in 2009 before transferring to Broadway in 2010.
The Australian production ran at the Seymour Centre for four weeks in October 2016. It was produced by Boyslikeme Productions, with Redgate joining the production for its Melbourne and Adelaide seasons.
“We’re in contact with the writer of the play just to refine little bits and pieces of the script, just to update it to more of today’s sensibilities,” Redgate said.
“It’s just little words and phrases, but we’re certainly not touching the crux of the story.”
Redgate said it had been a lot of fun watching the actors bring their own nuance to the characters and the story, particularly given some of the themes.
“It’s a real actor’s piece, but it’s also very funny. You have to balance these heavy themes with humour, so there are some huge laugh-out-loud moments, but you probably need to be prepared to go on a bit of an emotional journey,” he said.
The play should leave audiences feeling hopeful, said Redgate, particularly if the state of world politics is getting them down.
“This play brings a bit more hope, I think, to the future and just brings us back more to reality, that perhaps the things that we see in the press that are more extreme are not where we all live day to day,” he said.
“I think it’s worthwhile coming to see that, just to realise that there are some really good people in this world.”
The play stars Luke Jacobz, Conor Fogarty, Sophie Gregg, Gerard Carroll, Natasha Vickery and Jason Jefferies.
Tickets are on sale now for the production, which opens at the Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst next week.
