On my way to meet actors Casey Edwards and Lauren Williams, I wondered what sort of lesbians they would play in the upcoming world premiere of When Dad Met Fury.
Would they dress sleek as lipstick lesbians or would they veer towards a clear butch style? Who would wear the pants and so forth. Yet once I arrived and sat down with the girls, it appeared stereotypes – along with coats – were going to be checked at the door.
When Dad Met Fury is a first in many respects: it is the first play by nationally renown playwright David Williamson to feature a lesbian couple, the first performance to break in the new Metcalfe Playhouse and the first time a Williamson play has had its premiere in Perth.. There are some serious gay overtones in this play, tackling current issues in the community like gay marriage and same-sex parenting, all on the sidelines of what sounds like a family dispute of extraordinary proportions.
Edwards and Williams play Sonya and Adele, respectively – a lesbian couple living in Perth who until now has escaped the calamity of Adele’s family. Adele and Sonya may not be the major characters in this piece, but their presence appears to pack a punch.
OUTinPerth spoke to Edwards and Williams in the lobby of Metcalfe Playhouse about When Dad Met Fury.
‘This is about a family reunion in a way,’ says Williams.
‘They are getting together to celebrate her grandfather’s 75th birthday … and my delightful girlfriend Sonya would like to come along…’
Adele’s grandfather, Alan Urquhart has made millions from dodgy dealings and to the horror of his children and grandchildren; the old man has picked up a new wife.
‘So it’s not just about meeting my girlfriend for the first time but also that I’m gay. As you can imagine, there are a few reservations there,’ says Williams.
When asked how the family receives the news, Edwards meekly answers: ‘Not well’.
‘Sonya is quite manipulative, is probably the first thing I noticed about the character,’ says Edwards.
‘I mean she is endearing as well but she sort of has a back story…’
Not to give too much away, Sonya initially pursues Adele with the knowledge that her grandfather was responsible for misfortune within her own family.
Just the range of emotions between these two girls is complex, let alone with the rest of the family. Williams and Edwards reel off a number of big questions that the pair confronts: Is Adele ashamed of Sonya in front of her family? Can Sonya be trusted and why is she so persistent to meet Adele’s family? Is Adele actually gay?
Coming back to stereotypes, both actors agreed there was much more to their characters than being gay. Like in real life, sexuality would not dominate all areas of the characters’ lives.
‘For Sonya … the fact that she’s gay is just one facet of her personality,’ Edwards said.
With so many stereotypes of gay culture floating around the ether, it is refreshing to hear of a local production affording such an honest take on our community.
When Dad Met Fury premieres on July 22 and runs until August 21 at the Metcalfe Playhouse, 12 Lake St Northbridge. Tickets available through The Empyrean.
Benn Dorrington
