Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Cast: Shaun Stanley, James Bray.
When Jack comes home carrying a Primark bag, Chris knows that Jack has got something on his mind; that their blossoming relationship, which has just gone through a civil partnership, may be in trouble. Is it another man, the problems of 21st Century living in which all are equal, all struggling along at the bottom due to the actions of Government and the way they have handled certain economic practises or quite simply that the need to express an artistic side, even if it means showing a bit of bottom as a male stripper, is enough for Jack to come home carrying home some exotic clothes.
Written by Wes Williams and directed by Grin Theatre’s leading man Kiefer Williams, Glow Boys explores in depth the moment in which a relationship between two young people reaches its first crisis when one person, down to economic pressure, starts to try and keep a secret from their other half. What cannot be denied is the tenderness and care in which the piece is captured by all four men involved. Like Helen Kerr, Kiefer Williams always gets the very best out of his cast and in Shaun Stanley and James Bray, Mr. Williams had two very good talents in which to work with and who seemed to have responded perfectly to his direction.
Even if you have never been part of a relationship in which one partner shows the desire to try something new, be it artistically, emotionally or sexual, you can recognise the need in people to get themselves out of debt, especially when placed into the circumstances out of their control. Both Shaun Stanley and James Bray gave incredibly good performances and showed with depth that being a couple is more than what goes on in the bedroom, it is the help that the person needs to explore something new or to get rid of the trouble they are in which defines the care between them. Sex it seems is all well and good but it doesn’t make you feel secure.
Glow Boys is meaningful, thoughtful and a great escape in which to sit and reflect on the things which are more important in life.
Ian D. Hall