Terrorism at home and abroad

The latest play by one of Australia’s leading theatre directors, Stephen Colyer, explores homophobic abuse in the entertainment industry and the effects of war.

Dying City is set between two worlds, the Middle East and the bright lights of New York. The storyline centres on a soldier who shoots himself in Iraq and his twin brother Peter, a struggling actor dealing with his sexuality.

The play moves between the past and present allowing the audience to see the ever-changing nature of society, and revealing the similarities between the personal terrorism in Baghdad and New York.

NIDA graduate and Home and Away star Tom O’Sullivan plays both male roles.

The play starts with me walking off stage in the middle of a show on Broadway, due to homophobic taunts from an older actor, O’Sullivan told the Star. This acts as a catalyst for that part of the story because Peter has been at a breaking point for a long time over his brother’s death.

As a straight man, O’Sullivan hasn’t had any troubles in taking on a gay character.

Peter is a very sexually charged character so that helps more than focusing on his sexual orientation. He knows that everyone wants to jump his bones and he uses it as an advantage, he said.

He’s a little lighter on his feet. Peter’s tone is very expressive and flamboyant at times. A lot is in the writing because it’s a well written script -“ a lot of the work is already done.

Already a success in London, the Sydney version is produced by Kate Armstrong-Smith and also stars Saskia Smith from Hedwig and The Angry Inch.

Dying City opens on Thursday 28 June at the Darlinghurst Theatre and runs until Saturday 21 July.

It’s a really good play and the writer is sending out a very strong political message but in a personal landscape, O’Sullivan said. It’s a play about redemption so it has a nice feeling at the end.

Tickets are $30 or $25 concession. Bookings: 8356 9987 or www.darlinghursttheatre.com.