A powerful, unique and rather crude piece of theatrical history
Jerker is a truly unique show that humorously combines obscenity and genuine emotion. Set during the peak of the American AIDs epidemic, Robert Chesley’s most celebrated play follows the progression of Bert and JR’s ‘dial-a-porn’ romance. This staged reading was put on by The AIDS Play Project, a campaign aiming to revive the works of writers who died of HIV/AIDS. Jerker will both disturb and surprise you in the most exciting ways.
In no way could Jerker be called tasteful, but it is lewd and raucous in such a way as to become powerful protest art. Robert Chesley’s writing is evocative. This play, as with all his works, does not shy away from obscenity and the taboo which he lovingly combines with the real emotional experience of the queer community in the 1980s. More than half of the show takes the form of graphically described sexual fantasies and yet he is able to create relatable, human characters and to tell a meaningful story. Chesley’s writing is remarkable in its naturalism; none of it seems forced or even slightly abnormal, it is just the natural flow of conversation.
Syrus Lowe and Adam Silver read the roles of Bert and JR respectively, with Ms Sharon Le Grand reading Chesley’s commentary and stage directions as “The Helping Hand”. Lowe created a distinctive character out of Bert right from the get go. His voice had a clear personality and his stance, even as he read the script, portrayed the flirty, somewhat reckless nature of his character. Silver is an equally gifted actor though it took longer to grasp his character; when he came out of his shell his characterization became something wonderfully sweet. As the show progressed the chemistry between the two actors bloomed beautifully. What began as feckless erotic phone calls turned to soft terms of endearment, sweet stories, and genuine love. Le Grand’s interjections brought a nice dollop of comedy to some of the tenser scenes and she was always good for a laugh. There were several times unfortunately, at which she did stumble over her words but she always played it off amusingly.
Director Alastair Curtis made brilliant use of the set, designed by Max Allen and Elliot Alcock. The simple runway-style stage was gorgeously littered with Chesley’s pamphlets and pornography which also formed the fascinating lanterns which hung along the stage. What stood out the most about this show was the staging. The actors facing’s were symbolic of the progression of their feelings for each other and culminated in a moving series of scenes where they faced each other. The sly passing of flirtatious smiles and precious glances conveyed the adorable deepening of their connection.
Jerker is definitely not for the faint of heart. A plot-based on the ‘dial-a-porn’ based gay relationship of two men in 1980s San Francisco manifests as a deeply descriptive pornographic tragi-comedy. The graphic nature of much of the show as well as the aberrant choices in role-playing scenarios make it very easy to overlook the artistry of what Chesley has created. Two talented actors and the lovely Ms Le Grand revived this controversial work in a fun, unique, and emotional way. The AIDS Plays Project has done theatre a service in bringing Chesley’s work back to the stage. Jerker is obscenity at its finest.