Sexuality (some might call it perversion) appears to be a constant theme in young playwright Thomas Ian Doyle’s work, which is inevitably confronting. Fortunately, he has a ready outlet for it in the form of the theatre he and director Gabrielle Savrone operate, namely The Owl and Cat.
Wash Room is set entirely in a public toilet near a racecourse. A minimalist but highly effective set takes centre stage. One modern stainless steel urinal, two cubicles, a small washbasin, a hand dryer and a cracked mirror are all the accoutrements needed to transport us to familiar terrain because, let’s face it, when you need to go, you need to go. When a worse-for-wear Kathy enters the men’s room, 19-year-old Troy is already in there. You see, he is cruising for a homosexual encounter. He desperately wants to be given the satisfaction of oral sex. He is at the races with his low rent mother, who has hired a Bentley for the occasion. At age 30, Kathy’s boyfriend owns a particularly successful racehorse, but at first all she can think about is killing the nag … with poison no less.
Over the course of the play’s running time – an hour – Troy challenges Kathy to live on the edge, including one particularly disturbing scene in which the teenager poetically describes a demented form of risk taking behaviour. I got the impression both are simply trying to find their way in the world. Along the way, they complete their ablutions, drink, vomit and talk, forming an unlikely bond, questioning their “sense of self”.
Several changes in attire suggest the action takes place over several days.I didn’t readily understand what Doyle had in mind overall, although the actors play their parts well. I can only speculate that Thomas Ian Doyle might be a bit of risk taker himself and enjoys pushing himself and an audience. Hear, hear to that, although not all will be enamoured with Wash Room, which you may call an exaggerated slice of reality piece.
Some will no doubt question what Doyle was thinking in crafting his story. Perhaps he is cajoling us to own the choices we make as we forge a path in life.
Wash Room is playing at The Owl and Cat Theatre, 34 Swan Street, Richmond until 13th November.
Alex First
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television