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Synopsis of the storyline from SMH goes:"This year's Mardi Gras arts festival gets off to an amiable start with this gay sex comedy from playwright Jonathan Hall.
Smart, predictable, message-free, solidly amusing and very British, Hardcore is no more an exposé of the porn industry than Are You Being Served? was a critique of consumer capitalism, but it delivers just enough cheap laughs and eye-candy to compensate for its shortcomings.
The play follows four male performers through the making of a formula skin flick.
Craig (Mark Dessaix) is the cold-hearted sexual athlete of the group, the only one with previous sex-on-camera experience.
Kevin (Julian Lovick) is a straight actor hoping to demonstrate his versatility to casting directors. Robert (Jens Bohnsack, a fabulous nom de porn) is in a long-term relationship and looking for kicks. Martin (Daniel Nemes - pictured) is single and up for anything.
Plot-wise, it's a simple behind-the-scenes confection. Implausible twists and pat reversals are delivered on cue. The four men have “issues” to some extent – formative sex experiences, many coercive, are recalled in short flashbacks – though none of it really matters in the long run.
What frisson there is derives from the on-off relationship between Craig and Martin.
There's no explicit sex. The boys keep their briefs on for the most part but there's plenty of bump and grind and a snappily staged collage of porn action from the movie they're making.
Helped along by Tony Youlden (lights) and Jon Glenn's amusingly smutty sound cues, Mackenzie Steele directs the piece without fuss and with one eye on the clock. There's little to be gained in lingering and Hardcore is the better for it. Pity you can't fast-forward to the good bits."
I quite liked it. Probably because 80% of it was all skin.hahaha I thought the characters where good in their own ways, and kissing between men in plays are always a plus for me. It makes it believable, no matter what they are in their real lives outside the play. The fist pash between Craig and Martin sent tingles down my balls.
Of course my favourite is Martin. He seemed light and energetic and funny and I loved how he always refered to himself as the third person and kept calling himself 'Martin'. Plus he was man enough to show us his cock. 200 points for you Daniel!!! I saw it hanging out of your briefs and I had a feeling it wasn't long til' that big thing hangs out eventually throughout the night.
Robert was my second favourite even though his character was a total cliche to what the society percieves as 'gay'. He had the whole flambouyancy going for him and well, matched with his tiny squeeky voice, the package was complete.
I'm glad Kevin got some kissing action even though they were minimal. I love it when the straights stray to the dark side.
And as for Craig, Mark is a brilliant actor!!! He really played Craig well and his porniness was uber evident. I wouldn't be suprised if Mark was an actual porn star.
Lighting and sounds were very good and funny. The minimal set was all they needed to portray the plot. (esp the sex scene on the couch) I thought the actors were precise on their cues. The writing and storyline was light and great for a Sunday afternoon. It wasn't demanding thought and critisicm, it was just there to tell you the story.
Overall score: 8 1/2 out of 10.
I still can't believe Daniel showed us his cock. I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!lolz
