Theatre review: Black Faggot

Black Faggot is an award-winning play written by Victor Roger in 2013. The show has returned to Auckland, on stage at Q Theatre until 29 June.

Fast-moving, expansive, and provocatively funny, Black Faggot takes the form of a series of monologues reflecting myriad experiences of queer and Pasifika identity. The play opens to Jake Tupu's character reclaiming the label 'black faggot', standing smug and impenetrable against Gideon Smith’s insults. This exchange sets the scene for the rest of the performance: an expression of humour, security, and heritage, lighthearted despite its proximity to complex issues.

The show flicks between a full spectrum of emotions quickly: shame and joy are balanced with ease. The format allows for innumerable characters to take the stage, each one flawlessly assumed by the two-man cast. The personalities, life events, and emotions are immediately recognisable, often seeming real enough to stir tears.

Black Faggot is, above all, a comic masterpiece. Highlights were the closeted Destiny's Church queen, the sly attacks on queer club music (they're right), the Sonny Bill Williams ceiling poster, and the ridiculous gay relationship arc relayed through Gideon Smith's oblivious kid-at-show-and-tell character. But no review will do its humour enough justice - go see Black Faggot, while there’s time!