The Normal Heart
“...it is from the first five minutes we witness just what this play is going to do to us: gauge our interests, lift our spirits, and then turn our smiles, cheers and claps into furrowed brows and gaping mouths as we see the first of many characters become covered in lesions and fall victim to the insidious mysterious virus that plagues the duration of the play.”
Based on true events, The Normal Heart, written by Larry Kramer and set in 1981, tells the harrowing story of a group of gay man going up against “the gay cancer”, which is now referred to as the AIDS epidemic. This is a complex, quick-paced, sincere and deeply affecting piece of theatre that shines a light on the horrible traumas the LGBT community in New York City (and other cities alike) faced during a time in which their government turned its back on them out of fear. This play, now considered a staple in the American theatre canon, has been adapted to film by HBO, and has garnered multiple awards and nominations.
I had the privilege of playing Mickey Marcus in this show. Inspired by real-life Dr. Lawrence Mass (who is still living), Mickey is a charismatic and caring gay man who dedicates his professional life to advocating for the research of treatment for this disease through a medical column in a publication. This show was produced by the Sydney University Dramatic Society, and was directed by a fellow exchange student from France.
You can read more about the show here.
GALLERY
