Holding The Man

Holding The Man at Trafalgar Studios 1

Why see Holding The Man?

West End Premiere of the multi award winning play from Australia.

'A theatrical triumph'
Variety

'Wickedly funny'
The Australian

Based on the much loved award winning book by Tim Conigrave, adapted for the stage by acclaimed playwright Tommy Murphy, Holding the Man is a hilariously funny, tender and moving play following the remarkable true life love story of Tim Conigrave and John Caleo. It is a celebration that speaks across generations, sexual preference and culture.

One of Australia's most celebrated comic actors, Jane Turner, from the Australian TV hit Kath and Kim, will be making her West End debut.

The course of teenage love rarely runs smooth, but it is a white-water adventure if you are a gay boy in an all-male school in 1970s Melbourne with a crush on the captain of the football team. Still, despite the odds, Tim and John become close and for fifteen years their relationship survives everything life throws at it – the separations, the discriminations, the temptations, the jealousies and the losses – until the only problem that love can’t solve turns up to part them.

Holding the Man has become one of the most successful Australian stage productions in recent years, breaking box office records, achieving a total of 4 sell out seasons in Sydney, and collecting numerous awards including 2007 NSW Premier's Literary Award for Best Play, the 2007 AWGIE for Best Play and the Philip Parsons Award.

Key Information

Audience

The show contains adult themes and strong language. Holding The Man is for patrons who 15+ years old. It is not recommended for those under 15.

Dates

Finished 3 Jul 2010

Reviews

Customer reviews

5 reviews, average rating: (4.2 Stars)

Kazan

Holding the Man (again)

I had previously seen the production in Sydney which also had the same two main actorrs. The production and set was almost identical as well. I think the play is far more than just a 'gay play' and transcends its obvious themes which is why it was such a sell-out sucess in Australia. The character of John is something of a cypher in that we are not shown what makes him tick, Tim is the main driver in the relationship and what makes the play so watchable and thought-provoking is that he is a deeply-flawed but far from unattractive character. I think most of us can identify with times when we have been less than we wanted to be and yet are still fundamentally decent human being. Oh, and it can also be very funny. ... Read more

London

HEARTBREAKINGLY BRILLIANT

A play which will resonate not only with gay men, but anyone that has fallen in love, but is not sure how to deal with it. The second half had me in tear from start to the final devastating (although uplifting) minutes. Guy Edmonds and Matt Zeremes are flawless along with the rest of the cast. Pure brilliance! ... Read more

Sarah

Recommended!

I read the book a while ago, thought it was brilliant so made the effort to go along to see this. Jane Turner only had to walk on stage and the whole theatre fell about laughing! Really lovely production with great performances by all the cast - hadn't seen Simon Burke before, he was excellent. Lots of laughter, but at times I also felt overwhelming sadness for Tim and John. Another plus...first time there have been no queues at the Trafalgar Studios ladies room! ... Read more
All your reviews

NEWS, TICKETS, THEATRE & MORE

"Get the latest from West End and beyond - straight to your inbox!"

SHARE THE LOVE