A one-man show about erectile dysfunction (among other things), and a complicated gay marriage proposal involving Dollymount Strand, make up our next two International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival Reviews.

Erect but Unstable

Rating *****

Canadian performer, John Arthur Sweet’s, first show in Dublin is a cabaret type monologue in seven scenes, where he investigates questions around sexuality, religion, love and attraction. Sweet comes across as a kind of gay Woody Allen, deeply anxious and hilariously neurotic. The script is funny, crisp and original and moves at a very lively pace. Beginning with a riff on the phrase “I love you”, Sweet questions the depth of the statement and in a wry, witty style investigates what it really means in current society. The funniest section of this show has Sweet visiting a doctor due to persistent erection problems, and then being sent to a psychiatrist, before finding his way into a confession box with a local priest. Seraina ????

This is a thoroughly enjoyable evening of well-written, self-deprecating comedy, which is very hard (excuse the pun) not to love. Seraina Vogel

‘Erect but Unstable’ continues at the Outhouse, until May 14t at 7.30pm, with a Matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets available here or on the door.

Proposal Under the Rainbow

Rating ***

This light-hearted comedy brought to the festival by the UK-based All Is One theatre group, tells the tale of a complicated engagement.

Vivyan Guinness, played with hilarious passion by Ara B, decides to leave his Grindr filled sex life behind and propose to Timothy, son of Lady Dorothy Jameson. Vivyan, who has some mysterious health problems due to his past lifestyle, is determined to get the approval of Timothy’s mother, in order to marry into the family. A web of complications must be untangled before true love can blossom, however, including a battle over the ownership of the local cruising area (updated for this production to our very own Dollymount Strand).

The performances here are occasionally a bit too manic, and the production’s energy comes across as a kind of panto for adults, but there’s a lot of charm here too, particularly in Chris Partridge’s performance as Lady Dorothy. Just right for a summer evening’s entertainment, that doesn’t tax the brain too much. Seraina Vogel

‘Proposal Under The Rainbow’ continues at the Outhouse, until May 14 at 9pm, with a matinee on Saturday at 4pm, tickets available here or on the door

 
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