Straight White Men

The title Straight White Men is so obnoxious as to be offputting, but it's actually an observational satire about "the luckiest social group in history" written by Korean-American Young Jean Lee. This Melbourne Theatre Company production, with Sarah Giles' direction, marks its Australian debut. The play centres on the all-American family of bumbling widower Ed (portrayed by veteran stage actor John Gaden) as they come together for their traditional Christmas festivities. Ed has three sons — corporate Jake (Luke Ryan), teacher/writer Drew (the wonderful Hamish Michael from Janet King), and scholarly Matt (Gareth Reeves). Lumbered by student loans, and generally lacking direction, Matt lives with Dad. The boys goof, do gross stuff, talk shit, spar, reminisce and regress in what might be an alt-sitcom (everything happens in the family room). But, then, while scoffing down Chinese takeaway, Matt starts crying…

Straight White Men mocks, rather than unpacks, privilege (and notions like "self-actualising"). Yet it's more depressing than funny, or even subversive. Ironically, 'straight white men' has become just too boring a subject. Candy Bowers' role as MC — officially "stagehand-in-charge" — seems apologetic, if not tokenistic. Nonetheless, the acting is exceptional, and a scene involving the brothers raving and breakdancing to Technotronic's Pump Up The Jam hilariously choreographed. Straight White Men is Men Behaving Badly for the Trump era.