Certified Male, Oct 27, 1999

by Glynn Nicholas and Scott Rankin

at Athenaeum Theatre 1 until November 6, 1999

Reviewer: Kate Herbert

Certified Male does not take itself too seriously. It does not try to knock down gender boundaries or educate men about sexual politics nor does it self-consciously attempt to give women an insight into men. It simply smirks at men and jabs us in the ribs with cute observations about male behaviour.

The play is directed slickly by Terry O'Connell and written by Glynn Nicholas and Scott Rankin. It is based very loosely, on ideas raised in Steve Biddulph's book, Manhood: an action plan for changing men's lives.

One old man, two middle aged man and one younger man, co-workers, go on a weekend retreat to rationalise staffing. ie to sack a few blokes. But it turns out to be a couple of days of self examination and weirdness.

Jarrad (Peter Hosking) is the executive director of the company. He invites, or should we say demands, the attendance of his three senior executives.

Alex (Glynn Nicholas), the wimp, is certain his wife will throw things at him. He goes anyway. The overtly sexist and silly McBride (Peter Rowsthorn) does not understand the impact of his actions on his wives. Yes. He has three.

Howard (Mark Neal) is younger and groovier but just as unhappy in single life as the others are married .We see the three fighting, sharing dreams, stories of loves and loss while Jarrad acts as a sort of Jungian/mythic Mentor.

They get drunk together and panic in private and public about being fired by Jarrad. Each receives a significant gift from and private chat with Jarrad. Each is as confused by their boss's unusual intimacy.

Jarrad challenges them with personal demands and a day of big game fishing which nearly kills them. These blokes don't dare say "No" to the boss.

All four actors bring their particular comic style to the characters. Hosking is commanding. Nicholas delights the crowd with his exceptional mime skills. Rowsthorn plays with his eccentric physicality and putty face while Neal is a cool customer with good comic timing.

The gags come thick and fast. There are songs and some terrific dialogue. There is no deep layering to the piece although it touches notions of mateship and love as well as the issue of taking it day by day in case your time on this earth is shorter than you think.

by Kate Herbert