THEATRE REVIEW: 'Bare: A Pop Opera' perfectly encapsulates the struggles of adolescence & coming out
Bare: A Pop Opera, presented by Hand in Hand Theatre and directed by Claire Mosel-Crossley, is the perfect combination of funny and heartfelt. Musical director Krispin Maesalu and his band expertly support the cast with music that seamlessly leads the show. Despite its crude humour, Bare perfectly encapsulates the struggles of adolescence and the difficulties of coming out.
Gay protagonist Peter (portrayed by Charlie Darlington) leads us through his journey at a Catholic boarding school with his secret lover and roommate, Jason (Benjamin Albert). Conflicting relationships and expectations are shown through each of the students’ inner dialogues and laments. The audience is given relatable insight into the struggles of being popular as opposed to being the ‘Plain Jane’, skilfully performed by Shannon Rogers and Ivy Halford.
Apart from the serious themes and undertones, comic relief is executed at the perfect moments, providing a clear balance between intense scenes and light-hearted humour. A few crowd pleasers include Mahali Selepe’s portrayal of Mother Mary, alongside her three sassy backup angels. Lucas (portrayed by Maximiliano Laffont) has a solid rap solo that too must be commended.
Hand In Hand Theatre provides quality entertainment and showcases a talented cast. A thought-provoking, heart-wrenching yet funny tale that addresses important issues in today’s society, Bare: A Pop Opera is a must see.
