“A beautiful, touching story that’s so much more than just another coming of age tale.”
After a short stint at The Hope Theatre in 2015, 46 Beacon makes its West End debut in the rather snug Trafalgar Studios 2. A semi-autobiographical work by playwright Bill Rosenfield, 46 Beacon (the curious title is the address where the play is set) is a two hander set in a small studio apartment.
Robert (Jay Taylor) is a British actor who through reasons mainly of his own making, has been forced to get work in a Boston Theatre. There he meets Alan (Oliver Coopersmith), a teenage theatre worker.
Inviting him back to his room, Robert flatters Alan, plies him with drink leading to the inevitable; the sexual awakening of Alan. This sounds almost like a tale of grooming and an older man taking advantage of a confused young man, and you could easily view it as such. However 46 Beacon is much more than that. On a deeper level it explores issues that probably everyone has encountered – the ‘first time’, coping with a troubled relationship, handling rejection.
This is about two gay men, but it’s not so much a coming out story as it could so easily be written for a straight couple. It’s an extremely touching tale that focuses on life’s insecurities for a couple miles apart in age, social background and their viewpoints on what is important in life.
Full of humour (loved the opening description of gay life in the 1970s ‘there was no AIDS to worry about, just crabs’) and full of genuine warmth and emotion. It’s nice to see a play with gay characters feature realistic people and scenarios – currently too many plays feature only muscled youngsters living for club culture.
Casting is spot on – Jay Taylor plays Robert excellently as the manipulating, yet never forceful, older man and Oliver Coopersmith’s portrayal of Alan shines with youthful naivety. A cute little 70s set (Ruth Hall) adds to the overall cosiness of the piece.
Almost fifty years after it’s set, this story is still relevant and the issues raised as fresh as ever. A beautiful, touching story that’s so much more than just another coming of age tale.
FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE WEST END DEBUT OF BILL ROSENFIELD’S
46 BEACON
DIRECTED BY ALEXANDER LASS
AT TRAFALGAR STUDIOS 2
FROM 5th to 29th APRIL 2017
Oliver Coopersmith (Netflix’s I-Boy and the lead in forthcoming Sky Atlantic series Tin Star opposite Tim Roth and Christina Hendricks) and Jay Taylor (Donkey Punch, Nell Gwynn and Wolf Hall/Bring up the Bodies) will star in the West End debut of 46 Beacon, playing the roles of Alan and Robert respectively in this coming-of-age and coming-out play set in 1970’s America.
46 Beacon arrives at Trafalgar Studios 2 for a limited season, running from 5 – 29 April 2017, with press night on 10 April, following a short run in 2015 at The Hope Theatre.
Written by Drama Desk and Richard Rodgers Award winner Bill Rosenfield, this memory play is directed by Alexander Lass, with set and costume design by Ruth Hall and produced by Oli Sones and Ed Sinke.
The address is 46 Beacon. The place is 1970s Boston. Alan and Robert spend a balmy July evening hoping for a connection, emotional or physical? 46 Beacon charts their quest in Bill Rosenfield’s fresh, funny and moving script.
Set within a theatrical hotel, Robert has invited Alan back to his room and although they are at different stages of their lives, they each have something the other yearns for. But are they willing to give it?
46 Beacon is the story of that night your life was forever changed.
WARNING: Contains strong sexual content, brief nudity and musical theatre references.
Oliver Coopersmith’s (Alan) stage credits include The Mikvah Project at the Yard Theatre, Dealer’s Choice at the Royal & Derngate Theatre, Once A Catholic at the Tricycle Theatre, Purple Heart at the Gate Theatre, The History Boys at Sheffield Crucible, The Physicists and The Cryptogram both at the Donmar Warehouse, Cause Celebre at the Old Vic, Henry IV Part 2 and The Merry Wives Of Windsor both at Shakespeare’s Globe, The Ones That Flutter at Theatre 503, 2000 Feet Away at the Bush Theatre and Macbeth at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Oliver’s screen credits include Netflix’s I-Boy, released last month, the forthcoming Tin Star on Sky Atlantic and Strangeways Here We Come, It’s Alive, Dickensian, The Tracey Ullman Show, Galavant, Hoff The Record, Scrotal Recall, Case Histories & Grandma’s House.
Jay Taylor’s (Robert) stage credits include Accolade at the St. James Theatre, Nell Gwynn at the Apollo Theatre & Shakespeare’s Globe, Wolf Hall & Bringing Up The Bodies for the RSC at the Swan Theatre and Aldwych Theatre, I Heart Peterborough at Soho Theatre, Joe/Boy at The Last Refuge, A Clockwork Orange at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Troilus & Cressida and Titus Andronicus both at Shakespeare’s Globe, SH*TM*X at Trafalgar Studios and The Police at the White Bear Theatre. Jay’s screen credits include A Fantastic Fear of Everything, Donkey Punch, Red Tails, The Rise of the Footsoldier, Britannia, Tennison, Silk, Tea Boys, Midsomer Murders, Misfits, Sirens, Consuming Passion, The Bill, The Fixer, Daphne, Holby City, Mr Wroe’s Virgins & EastEnders.
