The author of Mambo Italiano looks again at the reality of Italian-Canadian homosexuals with the creation ofAt the Beginning of Time. This time, under the sign of old age and maturity. A half raised bet.
The couple, sexuality, mourning, illness, homophobia, coming outsocial networks, wokes, AIDS, PrEP… The least we can say is that Steve Galluccio was not out of topics while writing At the Beginning of Time. Result ? His new one-act play, which premiered at the Centaur last Friday, takes too many leads without exploring a good one.
Hospitalized to treat a virus caught in an all-inclusive in the South, Michael receives in his hospital room two old friends who try to cheer him up. The trio of sexagenarians met at Saint Pius Tenth high school in Ahuntsic at the turn of the 70s and 80s. The three friends of Italian origin think back to that time with nostalgia. Since then, they have accepted and experienced their homosexuality each in their own way. despite the prejudices. They discuss the reality of growing old as gay men, their toothache loves…
A broken heart
How to live the mourning of his youth in a world in constant evolution? This is the question at the heart of Galluccio’s play. Basically, At the Beginning of Time draws on an intimate drama experienced by the 62-year-old author: he lost his spouse, who died of Alzheimer’s disease shortly before the pandemic. And in her desire to mend her broken heart. But his play speaks little of this love, except at the end. And even less mourning.
The comic-dramatic text is woven around the conversation of these three “drama queens” which drags on for 95 minutes. Without a real dramatic arc. The story centers on the existential anxieties of Michael, the playwright and screenwriter’s alter ego. This is aptly embodied by Richard Jutras, bedridden for the duration of the performance. His two visitors interact with him still keeping their coats on, as if he is going to leave any minute, as the nurse briefly appears in the room. And never with the same uniform on the back! Is it because the day is changing? It is not clear in the proposal of Peter Hinton-Davis and in its staging without audacity or rhythm.
PHOTO ANDRÉE LANTHIER, SUPPLIED BY THE CENTAUR
Nadia Verrucci
Michael Gianfrancesco’s beautiful scenic painting of the set, a classic depiction of heaven with angels in heaven, however, hinted that the production would veer away from realism. Donna Summer’s disco music abruptly succeeding the Stabat Mater, during the opening scene, also promised us a moving meeting. Alas, we remain on his appetite.
At the Beginning of Time
Text by Steve Galluccio. Directed by Peter Hinton-Davis. With Richard Jutras, Stephen Lawson, Michael Miranda and Nadia Verrucci.
At the Centaur TheaterUntil March 12.