YORK company Wildgoose Theatre returned from a five-year hiatus with a three-day run of Frank McGuinness’s Gates Of Gold at 41 Monkgate, York, to be followed by a November 16 performance at 7 Arts Theatre, Chapel Allerton, Leeds.
This 2002 Irish play presents a fictional account of the lives of Micheál MacLíammóir and Hilton Edwards, the fashionable and eloquent English-born theatrical trailblazers who founded the legendary Gate Theatre in Dublin.
McGuinness presents them as Gabriel and Conrad, theatrical and life partners for more than 30 years, but now that Gabriel is on his death bed, they must re-evaluate their lives, love and legacy in a play that addresses sexuality, gender confusion and human mortality.
As the main lead, Richard Easterbrook’s Gabriel was engrossing, running the gamut from dry wit and spiteful anger through to fatalistic musings and genuinely poignant observations on his life, both personal and professional.
Paul Baxter's Conrad, left, with Richard Easterbrook's Gabriel in Gates Of Gold. Picture: Michael J Oakes
Paul Baxter’s Conrad was more understated – playing the straight man to Gabriel’s larger-than-life provocateur – but at the same time putting great weight behind the words of a frightened man trying to come to terms with the impending death of his much beloved partner.
Both characters felt very sincere, with a complicated but ultimately affectionate relationship, and the bittersweet banter between them both was sharp and funny.
Unfortunately, not all of the performers were quite as on point. There were several moments where the various supporting players spoke over each other’s lines, significantly undermining the drama of several key scenes, while moments of levity – clearly intended to be humorous, despite the morbid subject matter of the piece itself – were delivered with such po-faced severity as to make the comedic elements feel out of place.
Characters meandered between light-hearted foolishness and deadly seriousness without clear reason, leaving them feeling unfortunately shallow and underdeveloped.
A challenging piece to perform, Andy Love's production of Gates Of Gold was blessed with a compelling pair of leads but marred by mistakes and stilted tonal shifts.
Tickets for the 7.30pm performance in Leeds on November 16 can be booked at wildgoosetheatre.com
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