'Alright Bitches!' Above The Stag Theatre ****

There are often misconceptions that gay holiday rendezvous being only exclusive to gay people, but this is not the case. By the same token, can a relationship with some form of an age gap tamper with how a holiday advances? Above The Stag Theatre’s production of Martin Blackburn’s debut play, ‘Alright Bitches!’ is an indescribably amusing piece of LGBT Theatre on the opposing opinions of people’s perfect holiday destinations, and what is more, the interpretations were vividly performed.

‘Alright Bitches!’ is located in a gay holiday park in Gran Canaria where we’re acquainted with cute gay couple, Ollie and Jason who are on a much needed holiday away from their busy lives in the United Kingdom, on the contrary, there is a bit of age gap so their ideas of holiday destinations differ. At the same time, flatmates, Max and Garth (Ethan Chapples) along with their friend, Pam (Hannah Vesty) have returned for their annual vacation, in addition to this, Pam is there to heal her heartbreak due to a recent break up. Over the course of the performance, Ollie and Jason relationship is provoked as Jason is facing his own difficulties which previously sent him to a stint at The Priory, whereas, Ollie is youthful and has a much opposing viewpoint of life in general. Thankfully, he is not perturbed by his boyfriend’s problems.  Garth is going to be celebrating his birthday during the holiday where Max and Pam are organising a party for him and when they come into contact with Ollie and Jason, a friendship soon forms and they are invited to Gath’s little celebration. It is perfectly visible that Jason isn’t having the most enjoyable time as it’s not really a place that’s thriving with culture and because of his age he finds it naff. Max feels that Jason should be relishing the holiday so Max endeavours to help Jason to become comfortable with being there. He wants to see if Ollie and Jason’s relationship is solid enough; as such he begins to get an infatuation towards Jason. Furthermore, Max is getting aggravated by Jason’s attitude and states that he needs to have more confidence in himself which is missing in his life. Throughout the play, Pam is treated appallingly by Max and Garth, on the other hand, she keeps her head held high and we really warm to her rib-tickling characteristics. Garth’s birthday festivities are in full swing and appear that the five of them have really bonded with gay anthems playing in the background and we can see Ollie and Jason’s do really love one another which is sublime to witness.  At the finale, the holiday is basically finished so the two parties depart the hotel complex; they say a final goodbye to each other. Blackburn’s narrative is a knockout as the play is all about how relationships could be put to the ultimate test and what occurs in gay holiday parks. As well as, delving into the age gap context enables us to see if these kinds of relationships can prove successful and increasingly passionate.

One found the performances by the company of, ‘Alright Bitches!’ to be clearly wondrous and the camaraderie off all five actors appears extremely pleasant and looks like they are enjoying performing together. Grant Cartwright is incandescent as holidaymaker, Ollie; mainly how he adores his holiday in pretty much next to nothing, plus, there is a decent balance with Ollie and Jason’s coupling and with Ollie he presents a down to Earth presence which makes him quite popular with Max, Garth and Pam. Anton Tweedale is radiant as somewhat harrowed, Jason; especially how his personal dilemmas and his time at The Priory has taken its toll of his confidence and with Max’s guidance he begins to change his attitude, additionally, the joyous expression on his face when he is with Ollie is charming to see. Lucas Livesey is marvellous as the stereotypical gay man, Max; such as how his comments towards Pam are out of order, paradoxically, when we see him trying to help Jason with his problems as the play advances through we begin to adapt our sentiments  towards him so do not judge a book by its cover.

Andrew Beckett’s direction is awesome here as he has been able to capture the crux of the gay community on holiday and how friendships and sexual relationships are conveyed in such a tender and humorous way. Also, what I liked about his direction is how he has encapsulated Ollie and Jason’s love story where their obvious differences don’t matter all that much. Andrew Beckett’s set design and Elllen Sussams’ costume designs are respectable as we are definitely transported to a warm and sunny locality which in this instance is Gran Canaria. Sussams’ costumes allow you to see all that the men have to offer, so that got a bit distracting. Overall, the experience of, ‘Alright Bitches!’ was another first-rate production and I’ve never been disappointed each time I visit this venue.