This Genuine Moment

Created by playwright Jacob Parker, This Genuine Moment poignantly depicts one of the most universal human experiences: the (in)ability to forge a meaningful connection with another. As part of Midsumma Festival, the new queer play focuses on a one-night stand between two people and how somewhere, beyond the lies told and the omissions made, exists the raw, honest and, sometimes, ugly truth.

On stage to sold-out audiences at La Mama Courthouse, the show opens with Riley (NIDA graduate Tom Dawson) and ‘L’ (Triple J presenter Ilai Swindells) waking up in bed after a night of booze, dancing and debauchery. Riley, a little hazy on the night before, quizzes L about what happened between them while L mischievously riles him up, feeding him various scenarios of what went on. As the story picks up gusto, layers of their lives are revealed. We discover L is involved in an on-again off-again relationship with Ross. We also learn that Riley is preparing to come out to his family on Christmas Eve. While L begins to overstay his welcome at Riley’s apartment, this is the opportune moment for two strangers to finally be honest – not only with each other, but, more importantly, themselves.

This Genuine Moment explores the all-too-real experiences of hook-up culture and the pervasive falseness that comes along with it. Through masterfully placed twists in the narrative, we learn that Riley and L harbour their fair share of secrets and are, essentially, broken. L is haunted by the abandonment of his father, while Riley is haunted by his ‘str8’ persona and the entanglements that come along with it. Psychoanalysis aside, Dawson and Swindells portray their characters with the perfect blend of vulnerability and boldness.

Swindells’s retelling of the night L met Riley is some of the most compelling and tear-jerking theatre I have seen. His delivery was on point. Similarly, Dawson’s monologue at the end of the show played to his strengths and really conveyed his acting chops.

Despite a few opening-night technical glitches at the beginning, the audio visuals were effective. The projection of L and Riley’s text messages and social media feeds added another layer of familiarity by highlighting how we use our phones in moments of awkwardness and when we need a life raft from our friends or family.

Moving, funny and very relatable, This Genuine Moment is a captivating and standout piece of theatre.

This Genuine Moment
La Mama Courthouse
lamama.com.au/whats-on/midsumma-2021/this-genuine-moment

Image: Darren Gill