On Stage: Bearded

Australia’s 2017 marriage equality debate provides the background to the musical Bearded playing at Melbourne’s Theatre Works.

Described as a `new Queer Aussie musical’ the 100-minute show highlights the many challenges two young people face to be themselves. Those challenges include family expectations and societal pressures.

Bet Rawler (Bek Schilling) is one of two daughters of conservative political candidate Richard (Anton Berezin) who is strongly pushing an anti-gay marriage agenda.

Richard’s other daughter Hailey (Belle Parkinson) is as conservative as her father while her mother Janet (Michelle Fitzmaurice) also supports Richard.

Bet has always had a strong friendship with next door neighbour Ace (Sean Donehue) who is being raised by his football loving, single father David (Michael Lindner).

Bet is clearly in love with school mate Kelly (Charlyi Jaz) but such a relationship would derail Richard’s campaign and Bet is continually pressured at home to support Richard’s actions and views.

While all his school friends including close friends Axel (Teddy Burgess) and Cri$ta (Rachel Tunaley) know Ace is gay, Ace refuses to admit it.  The situation comes to a head on Pride Day when, as a result of Hailey’s words and actions, Bet kisses Ace and tells fellow students they are a couple.

The stunned Ace plays along and soon they have convinced everyone, except for the heartbroken Kelly.

Bet’s parents are thrilled and Ace is invited into the family. Bet’s life at school improves and no one calls Ace gay anymore.

To celebrate the new couple, Axel invites the group to an exclusive club which on arrival they discover is a gay club.  Here Ace meets an irresistibly handsome stranger, Casey (Alexander Tye), and the two kiss. Bet’s insists, the `fake-enship’ with Ace continues, but Ace pines for Casey and imagines their life together. This creates a problem for Bet’s plans to please Richard.

When Casey crashes a house party and inadvertently outs Ace to Hailey, Ace and Bet’s fictional relationship is exposed, resulting in both making some major life changing decisions. Casey’s revelations also cause Bet a major shock – which is equally surprising to the audience.

On Bearded’s opening night the cast of 21 and band of five musicians enthusiastically brought to life the show’s dialogue and songs.

Their energy levels in presenting the show’s many colourfully choreographed and demanding dance numbers were particularly commendable given the lack of air conditioning in the theatre on a very hot Melbourne night!

The show’s songs which include Hope, You’re Dreaming, Pride, Going Straight, Picture Perfect, Open Let Go, Family Matters, Glue, Paralysed and Let it Out were written by Donehue together with Nick Waxman, who also wrote the book.

Donehue and Schilling were both very believable as confused and conflicted teenagers as was Berezin as an unpleasant politician and father. The show gave all three the chance to showcase their many talents.

When asked what audiences should expect when they come to see Bearded, Donehue replied: “High energy, high camp and a whole lot of heart. We want audiences to see themselves reflected back in these young characters, and to root for them, and to laugh with them, and to cry with them.

“Whilst in many ways this show is by queer people, for queer people; its message is universal. It’s about love and family, and we want people to walk away feeling seen and moved and with a melody in their head that won’t leave them for at least 4-5 business days.”

Audience reaction at the end of the show suggested Donehue’s hopes were achieved.

Bearded is playing at Theatre Works until Saturday January 18.  Visit the Theatre Works website for more information and tickets.

*Photo credit: Jacob McCormack

Jenny Burns attended the opening night of Bearded as a guest of the producers.