Winner of this year’s BBC Playtime radio adaptation competition, The Gay Geese tells the story of closest homosexual Matt, and his daring move to out himself to his friend Sam, whom he hopes will simply say “so?” But, alas, Sam is yet to adjust to the 21st century and is still of the attitude that homosexuality is not normal. As you might imagine, this can cause issues for best friends.
Diluted, predictable, ultimately disappointing, the play failed to do any justice to an arguably still sensitive issue. The script lacked substance, intensified by far too many pauses, lacking any poignancy. Unfortunate lighting cues made for awkward blackouts, with actors still not having made their exit before the lights came back up.
There were, however, some witty and dramatic moments, and I believe it’d be worthwhile to listen to the original radio play, perhaps elucidating why it merited an award. One is thing for certain, however. Perhaps this, as a work for radio, should have kept itself in the closet, and not masqueraded as a piece of theatre.
