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53Two, Arch 19 Watson St, Manchester
Until 29th August
*** Christian Lunn is a wonderous Incubus as GRINDR ***
*** Every cast member plays a BLINDR, and everyone shines brightly like the GRINDR XTRA app ***
*** Erik Ransom has really brought the app quite literally to life in this satirical horny opera ***
I remember the days of gaydar.com computer-based, the real daddy of the gay app world. With the evolution of the iPhone and birth of apps they brought about the instant out-and-about ‘dating’ app GRINDR. It changed the gay landscape forever. There was no further need to embark on nights out cruising the bars for dates, love, hook ups and one-night stands. All this could now be sort in the comfort of your own home (or the train ride home). Even better you could tell the distance your protentional suiter was from you with its built in GPS, from several miles to just a couple of meters! As you doom scroll your way through, searching the faces and torsos of your next love or conquest.
This birth of GRINDR is captured in the first scene where we see some druid like figures, creating their Frankenstein monster in a ritualistic setting with a song sung in high falsetto Latin. Christian Lunn is the all-seeing golden glowing mask app ‘GRINDR’ embodied. Christian has a body that just doesn’t stop and is dressed in a multifaceted gay fetish look that includes a harness, heels and ostrich feathers. He is the gay supreme leader, and wow what a voice. Christian’s vocal range is phenomenal think Sam Ryder meets Adele. He has the most incredible voice that reaches some of the highest notes you will hear this side of the London Coliseum. Christian Lunn is a wonderous Incubus as GRINDR. He serves us an addictive drug of lust and longing bringing the audience to its knees (just as GRINDR does for some!). He can often be found leaning on the action with a sneering smile or a bit of side-eye. It is hard not to watch him prowling in the background even with the rest of the action happening down stage.
Grindr: The Opera a musical parody has been wonderfully written by Erik Ransom who also developed the lyrics and composed the music (triple threat). Erik Ransom has really brought the app quite literally to life in this satirical horny opera with William Spencer directing and providing the choreography and Peter Bull as Producer. The lyrics can be beautiful and loving to sharp and caustic all blended perfectly into this needed piece of theatre. The show cleverly captures the importance of the app in popular culture but also shines a bright spotlight on an uglier underbelly of superficiality, STI’s and lustful desires.
The show is set around the stories of four guys. Each with their own desires and needs. Whilst these stories are seemingly unrelated, Erik Ransom cleverly draws the stories together leading to an inevitable ending. The small space encourages an intimacy with each of the characters, as they appear in their profile doorways to introduce themselves.
Patrick Barrett plays Devon the hopeless romantic doctor, who following a breakup finds himself back on the scene and apps looking for love. He is liked and arranges a meet with Tom (Kane Verrall). Tom is looking for NSA fun but if love come along on the way, that would be great but he’s not holding out much hope for that. Patrick and Tom play a believable dynamic and you can feel the chemistry between this gorgeous pair. Their Beautiful voices both powerful and lifting bringing to Life Eric Ransom’s pop opera sounds.
Jack is a young twink played unapologetic by Will Joel. A crazy talent of a guy, Will is superb at playing the nonstop looking for action Jack. Jack life is a roller-coaster of hook ups, work, opportunities and revenge! Jack feels completely authentically played by Will with his clear strong voice and some wicked dance moves; Will is one that I’m sure we will be seeing again on our stages.
Dereck Walker plays the daddy Don. He’s a through and through Tory Thatcherite who’s in the closet back in Narnia. When Don’s online he wants fun there and now. Dereck deep baritone type of voice is perfect at delivering a harsh realness to his character, a controlling yet feeble man. Dereck and Will’s scene’s together give us some real emotional punches and some thought-provoking realities. Oliver Cartwright and Will Loader complete the ensemble both being an extension of GRINDR as Versipellis and Trogorium. Every cast member plays a BLINDR, and everyone shines brightly like the GRINDR XTRA app.
The show has its own four-piece band, Ruby Grace (Cello), Aaron Clingham (Keyboards), James Green (Percussion), with a special shout out to the woodwind section Becky Hughes – who really lifted the show with her skills on the flute, clarinet and saxophone. The woodwind section gave a sense of cabaret that seemed to really work for this show. A great four piece who smiling throughout looked like they really loved their work.
GRINDR: The opera is a very clever observational view of the pandora’s box world that is GRINDR; unrestricted, skin deep and cruel but with ‘hope’ at its foundations. We didn’t hear the app go off to many time during the show from a predominantly gay male crowd, that I’m sure their might have been a few hook ups! This is fringe theatre at its best, using the best of an intermit space with stellar voices and a cracking story. GRINDR: The Opera, playing at 53Two in Manchester until 29th August. Perfect for any Manchester Pride celebrations. Like and hook up with the show, it could be the happy ending you’ve always needed. It certainly was for us.
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