★★★★★
Once the pre-performance chatter has died down, out of the darkness you can hear a few notes of an all too familiar melody, suitably moderated to forego any copyright infringement. The nostalgic feeling starts to settle in your stomach when a mixture of light-blue orbs and lightbulbs, seemingly magically floating overhead, start to illuminate the stage, whose golden circles and diagrams, reminiscent of those magical instruments stacked in one particular headmaster’s office, glister along. And just when you start to believe in magic, you are yanked back to reality by the appearance of a lanky teenager, who will bring you face-to-face with the often brutal struggle of coming out as gay amidst the emotional chaos of growing up.
From first loves and first times to first heartbreaks, Robert Holtom’s fast-paced play Dumbledore Is So Gay at the Southwark Playhouse takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, switching from hilarious to tragic in mere seconds through seamless scene transitions, brilliantly directed by Tom Wright. Are those tears of laughter or a sentimental reaction to the touching perseverance in the face of ruthless adversity suffered by our loveable hero?
Alex Britt plays the role of the awkward outsider Jack to perfection, effortlessly moving between comedic moments of teenage-cringe and the serious exploration of the struggle of being gay in a world where homophobia is (still) all around. But the magical trio wouldn’t be complete without Charlotte Dowding and Martin Sarreal, whose charming and varied performances of every other character in the play are a testament to their individual artistic abilities, effortlessly switching from French teacher to best friend to parent.
My worries of a repetitive storyline in light of some time travelling-problem solving were quickly squashed by the cast’s entertaining interactions and Robert Holtom’s fantastic writing that employs recurring themes as effectively as surprising plot twists. Above all, Dumbledore Is So Gay feels authentic and convinces through its charming honesty. Even the controversy surrounding a certain author is addressed through subtle and not so subtle nods throughout the play, while continuously paying homage to the book series that has had such an impact on its fans (even if that impact could have been a lot bigger)—where insults are traded with spellcasting movements and your Patronus is a powerful flirting tool.
Does the play make use of clichés? Certainly, but it banks on their core of truth and, if often uncomfortable, familiarity that lurks behind awkward first kisses, club nights, schoolyard bullies, the restrained and prejudiced father or the well-meaning yet ignorant mother—if only you could use magic to make life easier. A hopeful, heartwarming and heart-wrenching plea for the continuous effort to fight for change and freedom for everyone, acknowledging that change seldom happens over night, yet is possible—together.
Dumbledore Is So Gay will be performed at the Southwark Playhouse until 23 September.
Words by Melanie Haller
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