Just Passing By Tristan Bates Theatre

The most notable thing about this piece is that it delivered exactly what the website blurb had promised. A normalised depiction of a gay couple. Apparently one of the men in it, stars in Emmerdale, but that's no odds to me really as I don't watch the soap. I was glad that he proved to me much more than just a celeb name to sell tickets. 

Passing By is the tale of Simon and Toby, two young men whose chance encounter at a local cinema results in them having a one night stand. The next morning as they exchange awkward pleasantries neither thinks that their paths will ever cross again. Toby (Rik Makarem) is therefore quite taken aback when Simon (James Cartwright) unexpectedly turns up at his work the next day and there is still an undeniable spark between them. However, when both men contract an illness they are suddenly forced to depend on each other and their relationship, which began as a playful fling, is tested to its limits. 

The entire play takes place within the confines of Toby’s apartment. 1970s America is instantly evoked by Philip Lindley’s detailed and era-specific set design. As with any two-hander, the strength of the piece ultimately depends on the chemistry between the two characters. Toby’s neurotic nature as a struggling artist contrasts brilliantly with Simon’s vain and self-assured persona. Both Makarem and Cartwright gave strong, solid performances; my only slight niggle would be that I found that Cartwright overacted during his drunken monologue. I did, however, enjoy Makarem’s use of physical comedy: everything, from stubbing his toe to his reaction to accidentally getting his head stuck in the arm-hole of his jumper, was very funny. Alongside these humorous moments Passing By’s true triumph is the honest depiction of Toby and Simon as a couple. Like most couples they flirt, mock each other and frequently bicker, however it was this normalised presentation of gay relationship that was revolutionary when the piece was written in 1975.

Director Andrew Keates has clearly stated that his intention was to portray “a love story between two men that doesn’t have the elephant in the room that is homosexuality”. I think that the production succeeds in doing so as, first and foremost, it is a representation of relationship between two characters who just happen to be gay, and no particular emphasis is placed on their sexuality. Thankfully theatre has changed and evolved a great deal from the seventies, and now seeing gay characters onstage is fairly commonplace. Although this production isn’t as radical and groundbreaking as the Gay Sweatshop’s original production in 1975, decades later the piece still feels very relevant. 

I still found it refreshing to see an honest, none-clichéd portrayal of a gay relationship.  Passing By is a funny and moving piece that explores the idea that a chance encounter with a stranger could evolve into a pivotal relationship.