The Men's Room by Patrick Evans Directed by Alistair Bean
16 Merivale Lane., Christchurch, Christchurch
Ticket Information
- Additional fees may apply
Restrictions
Website
Listed by
Set in 1992, The Men’s Room, is an affectionate comedy about six blokes coming to grips with life after feminism.
Their regular self-styled group bonding sessions have been meeting regularly for the past 10-15 years, sharing and convincing themselves they are helping each other with life’s big problems including their marital and relationship issues, with varying degrees of success.
Tonight, it is Clipboard carrying Stuart’s turn to host. So, lets set the scene for you:
When Sam turns up first, he finds Stuart in a frilly apron doing the ironing and three quarters of the furniture is missing. As it turns out, 'Sexy Sam', as he is known, isn’t staying, he just popped in for a little ‘pre-date’ moral support.
Enter, the rest of ‘The Blokes’:
Bill who just wants to be everyone’s friend and thinks it’s ‘Dress Up’ Night, Basil with his apple crumble and his trusty old Solex
Norman whose has no time for political correctness and whose wife has, not surprisingly, left him recently.
That now only leaves first timer, Frank. The new member straight from Auckland who offers ‘The Men’s Room’ lads an alternative vision of the path to becoming a real man which seems to have something to do with an encounter with a amorous bear.
What could possibly go wrong?
There’s lots of “gender sensitive” fun, Laugh out loud hilarity, a little bit to offend here and there, and plenty of comedic moments, within this well crafted play by award winning Christchurch professor and playwright, Patrick Evans.
Patrick’s one and only encounter with a men’s group was at a conference in Wellington in 1978. After a liquid lunch, he blundered into the wrong room where a circle of men were holding their testicles and chanting, “My balls are a powerhouse of energy, my balls are a powerhouse of energy.....”
In the aftermath of a relationship breakup and this somewhat traumatic glimpse of men behaving likes prats, Evans wrote The Men’s Room, an affectionate comedy about six blokes having trouble coming to grips with life after feminism.
The Men’s Room deals with one of the first waves of response to the feminism of the late 1980’s – male feminism.
What emerges are two perspectives of politicised correctness and a confused human need. It is basically a satire. It pokes gentle fun at the New Zealand bloke but also questions sex roles.
Patrick has taught New Zealand literature at the University of Canterbury since 1978. His plays have been performed in both New Zealand and Australia and include: Cold Turkey and Stuff: A Play on Words. Most recently, the award winning Gifted, based on his 2010 novel about Janet Frame and Frank Sargeson.
For a entertaining night of great theatre, join us for “The Mens Room” at the intimate performance space at the Drama Theatre, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Merivale Lane, Christchurch.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Log in / Sign up
Continuing confirms your acceptance of our terms of service.
Post a comment