Buff – part of Vault Festival 2023 – tells the story of Nicky, a 35-year-old plus sized gay primary school teacher who finds himself recently single and navigating dating apps, whilst coping with the grieving process that comes from the bad break-up of a six year relationship. A funny yet poignant solo-performed play – centring the type of gay character who is usually left out of the story – Buff explores body image pressures, jealousy, and the journey to self-acceptance through the world of online dating and social media. Boyz spoke to writer Ben Fensome, actor David O’Reilly and director Scott Le Crass about the message of Buff.
Scott Le Crass with David O’Reilly
Ben Fensome – Writer
What made you write Buff?
Buff came from a conversation director Scott and I had one day about “gay plays”: what they looked like, what they were about, and specifically who was cast in them. At the time, there were three or four high profile plays in London about gay men, and they all prominently featured a similar type of actor.
We wanted to explore a character who we hadn’t really seen depicted on stage before in any kind of detailed or nuanced way (and who was in the scope of who we could properly represent).
I’ve been keen from the first draft to create a story about the journey to self-acceptance and giving ourselves a break. The community, unfortunately, can be rough, and so I wanted to write a play that shows the effects of what that can do to an individual and their behaviour.
Why should people go and see the play?
First off, you should see it for David O’Reilly, who has brought so much more to this part than a writer can hope for. He is a hilarious actor who also does not shy away from the more vulnerable heartbreaking moments of the play. You should also see it because there really isn’t anything like it at the moment. It’s a funny, poignant, hopeful show which is what our community needs way more of right now.
David O’Reilly – Actor
Can you describe your character and a bit about his journey?
Nicky is a 35-year-old plus sized gay man who finds himself recently single after his long term partner has broken up with him. Suddenly he finds himself navigating through dating apps, looking for a new flat mate and trying to overcome the grieving process that comes with the ending of a relationship, especially one you didn’t want to end.
The play looks at body image and where that fits within gay dating and culture. Nicky is faced with a lot of questions in this play and trauma from the past. He deals with a lot of it by using humour, however it takes on a different form and leads him down a possible path of self-destruction.
Is it easier or harder to play a character who is closer to yourself?
I can only speak for myself but hiding behind larger characters and humour has been a big part of my career, so to suddenly find myself exploring a character that I share quite a lot with is hard; not all, but in some parts I almost feel like Ben and Scott are putting a mirror in front of me.
With playing a character close to yourself also comes the process of pulling from real-life experiences, emotions and traumas so with this has come something I have never had to do with any other character, and that is decompressing and applying what I need to, and then just leaving it there in the rehearsal room. I think I can say this is one of the hardest roles I’ve had come my way.
Scott Le Crass – Director
How is Buff different from other LGBTQ theatre?
Buff shows voice from within our community which we rarely see on stage. It’s the voice which is often the butt of the joke and judged by others. The play shows a plus sized gay man navigating dating after a long-term relationship has ended. It’s a fresh perspective – that nuance, heartache and joy. The play has a huge heart.
What is something you hope audiences take away from this play?
That the words we use have power. That words can be hurtful and damaging. That you don’t have the right to just tell others what you think about them. Toxic behaviour needs to be addressed within the LGBT community. We need to hold each other up more, before we can ask for our allies to.
Buff runs from Tuesday 31st January to Sunday 19th February as part of the Vault Festival at Crescent, The Vaults, Leake Street, Waterloo, London SE1 7NN.
Tickets available at https://vaultfestival.com/events/buff/
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