COWBOYS AND LESBIANS at the Park Theatre

★★★★

“Pilkington and Vyvyan have amazing chemistry – their friendship and shy flirting seems entirely natural”

Cowboys and Lesbians, written and directed by Billie Esplen, is a queer romantic comedy about 17-year-old best friends Nina (Julia Pilkington) and Noa (Georgia Vyvyan). In their last year at secondary school, they are ready for the adult world and all that their young minds perceive it to entail – the freedom, choosing washing machines, and, most importantly, sex. Outside of school responsibilities, the two fantasise about their futures and a satirical Hollywood romance set in the Old West. Full of cliches, the teenage duo uses this story to explore their feelings for each other and their budding queerness.

The play fluctuates between scenes of Nina and Noa sitting on a bench discussing their hopes and dreams and scenes from their fantasy romance. In the latter, we meet the histrionic small-town girl Abigail – played by Vyvyan – who has dreams of making it to the unspecified Big City. One day, the charming Carter – played by Pilkington – joins her ranch as a farmhand and plays out every stereotype of a tough but sweet cowboy that you can imagine. The two, as expected, fall in love despite violent objections from Abigail’s older brother Jebediah and the intellectual interference of Abigail’s mentor Finneas. It must be commended how easily the pair move between the numerous roles – quick costume changes, exaggerated accents and great physicality do wonders here to help the audience along.

In both plotlines, the theme of stuckness is key – we see the lives of characters who feel that they have nowhere to go and must conform to what is expected of them whether that to learn to be a traditional housewife for the farm or go out to late night gigs in Bethnal Green. The most touching scenes are when Nina and Noa talk to Abigail and Carter respectively about their secret love and are encouraged to take the chance and be together when their created characters could not.

Pilkington and Vyvyan have amazing chemistry – their friendship and shy flirting seems entirely natural. The former is particularly strong as Carter who swaggers around and poses melodramatically whenever possible. The duo is also very funny – they have a great grasp of comedic timing, and their delivery is always strong and purposeful.

The set (Esme Solomon) is elementary but effective – the façade of a barn with wood-panelling and saloon doors to enter and leave the stage. A simple block sits in the middle of the stage on which the two friends sit as they compose their imaginary world. Pilkington and Vyvyan occupy the space well – making use of all the various props – such as the ladder and washing line – to add movement and intrigue to their dialogue. The lighting (Jamie Platt) works well with the set – a range of colours implemented depending on the time of day and the mood on stage.

There is an undeniable predictability in Cowboys and Lesbians, and it is full of well-worn cliches. Nevertheless, the play seems relatively self-aware, at times mocking its own reliance on the classic romantic structure of cinema and TV. Occasionally, the script shifts into the twee rather than the satirical which can make some moments of awkward teenage fumbling thoroughly cringey to watch. Overall, however, the play hits the right tone, and you can’t help but ‘awww’ when our protagonists finally have their first kiss.

It is a joy to see a queer coming of age story played out on stage. You will certainly laugh but you will also be touched by the naïve sweetness of it all. A well-executed and thought-out play.

COWBOYS AND LESBIANS

★★★★

Park Theatre

COWBOYS AND LESBIANS at the Park Theatre

★★★★

“Pilkington and Vyvyan have amazing chemistry – their friendship and shy flirting seems entirely natural”