LOSS & HOPE: THIS IS A MAN (Forty-Five North)***

 

By Cal

Link: https://www.forty-fivenorth.com/loss-hope-this-is-a-man 

Available until: Unknown

Content warning: Terminal illness, animal cruelty, violence

This is a Man is all about being a man. What’s expected of you and what’s not expected. What’s allowed and what’s just wrong.

There is tragedy in this story. The main character, Greg, loses someone and it’s really sad, but he’s also forced to lose a part of himself. He’s a man – actually, he’s only a boy, but he’s still a man. He’s not supposed to have emotions. He’s just expected to get on it.

It’s a problem which a lot of men have faced in the past and even now, when there is more understanding of mental health, there is still an expectation that men should be able to cope. No crying. No talking about emotions. Just ‘being a man’. Whatever that means.

At best, it sounds stifling and depressing. But at worst…

Greg wants to stop other men from feeling and doing as he did. Or doing worse. He stands up in front of a group to speak. It’s not easy. He doesn’t seem to be the most confident public speaker and he’s about to break all the ‘rules’ of being a man.

Luke Barnes has written a powerful piece, full of all the emotion which I’m sure most, if not all, men feel, but not nearly enough dare to express. Director Madeleine Kludje clearly has confidence in the piece - she lets Liam Jeavons, who plays Greg, take his time to get going. It’s a risk as it might cause some people’s attention to waver (though if it does, they’ll soon snap to attention again because this monologue is so good), but it’s realistic for Greg to take his time. The play includes small noises here and there, the sounds Greg hears, but they’re right on the edge of our consciousness because it’s Greg’s voice that matters.

Liam characterises Greg really well, showing his reluctance at going against what he’s always been told should be his nature, but when Greg gets into it, it sounds really authentic and sad. Greg wasn’t even a man when this happened to him – he was still at school. Liam’s voice shows the hint of emotion Greg allows himself and also his passion for and belief in what he’s saying, even if it’s difficult for him to say it.

I agree with Greg completely in what he’s saying and from my own experiences, it did get better when I was in an environment where I was allowed to talk. Talking can actually make you stronger – but you do need someone who’s willing to listen.

A very powerful monologue about a really important subject – and it’s not just men who need to know this.