On The Sidelines is a heart-warming little gem of a one-man show at The New Theatre. Hailing from Manchester, Andrew Norris has crafted a moving portrait of a Northern English family. In particular, it’s a study in masculinity, and the stresses and strains of an emotionally repressed bachelor son having to look after his depressed elderly father, after the death of his mother.Performed with an elegant, spare simplicity by Andrew Norris, and written by Norris, Joanne Street and Jane Hollowood, this is a study of gruff English taciturnity, and a perfect exposition of the gulf in understanding between so many gay men and their fathers. As the story progresses, we begin to see what it is that divides the two men, and understand what the father was hoping for in his only son. What the son experiences as disappointment and disapproval coming from his father, we learn, is more a sense of profound misunderstanding. The way men of his father’s ilk talk to each other is through football; having a son who didn’t speak that language, and had no desire to learn, rendered the father powerless to communicate and enjoy the compay of his son.

I loved the intimacy that Norris created in the show, and although not without moments of humour and joy, I felt gently drawn into the subtleties and sadnesses of this family’s struggle. Avoiding any overlay of representational intent about gay men, this was obviously deeply personal writing, and the performance eschewed any showy set pieces or cheap laughs. The beauty of this modest, unpretentious approach is that when it’s done well, as it is in this show, it can touch anyone. Getting glimpses of gay lives from other cultures such as this show is reason alone for the existence of the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. Please, don’t miss this one.

Venue: THE NEW THEATRE
Dates:- MON. 7th – SAT. 12th MAY
Time: 9.30pm
Tickets: €14 (Conc. e12)
Sat. Matinee @ 3pm €10