Good Boy is a dark comedy drama following Boy in the throes of first love with his first, older boyfriend. Based on writer and actor James Farley’s own experiences this play explores the dangerous effects of misogyny within Gay Male relationships.
We spoke with James Farley about his debut play ahead of its run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Tell us a bit about your show.
Good Boy is a solo autobiographical comedy exploring something deeply traumatic that happened to me 10 years ago, which I have been processing ever since. It also delves into the patriarchal behaviours of cis gay men, and how these power dynamics in relationships and sex are universally damaging… It’s very funny, I swear! Imagine a mix of Fleabag and Baby Reindeer but even queerer.
What was the inspiration behind creating Good Boy?
In my first year at drama school, I entered my first relationship. I was wide-eyed and naive in the world of dating, sex, relationships and gay culture, I was besotted and thought I was in love. However, a year later, I discovered a secret about him that devastated me: I found child pornography on his iPad. I fell down a rabbit hole of dissociation and hyper-sexuality, trying to find acceptance in men who simply wanted to hurt me – and along the way, I discovered repeating patterns of troubling behaviour that reminded me of a certain someone… I didn’t tell anybody what happened, I didn’t know how. Until my third year when we had to create a 20-minute piece of live theatre for our dissertation… and Good Boy was born. Once again, I am compelled to remind you it is a comedy.
How has it been creating and performing in your own work?
At first, showcasing the original Good Boy to my peers, it was cathartic, angry and releasing. I attempted different versions over the years but eventually I was accepted onto Mrs C’s Collective’s writers’ programme: The Writers’ Collective. Without them, I never would have had the confidence to tell my story. It was 12 months of development with three other writers (shoutout to Akshay Sharan, Lizzie Milton and Nilgin Yusuf) culminating in two rehearsed readings at The Space Theatre in August 2023 – Sophia Vi also directing. It was an enlightening and empowering experience – it helped bring back memories I repressed and I have been able to analyse them and craft a funny and relatable story out of them. Hearing people laugh at the sheer audacity of some of the characters, gasping in shock, and coming up to me afterwards to thank me? It reminds me that only good things happen when people tell their stories and reclaim their trauma.
What is the message you want people to take away from your show?
I hope people feel empowered by it: I’ve discovered reclaiming your trauma and trying to find the funny is the best healing tool (if you’re still on the waiting list for therapy). I also hope that it reflects what I discovered in those dark times – that patriarchal power dynamics transcend gender and sexuality… no one is immune to the effects of the patriarchy, and I think people watching Good Boy will realise they may have been subjected to it without realising. (One more time: It definitely is a comedy)
How do you look after yourself when performing something with a dark subject?
I’m incredibly lucky to have this team. Me, my director and producer are all queer or trans, meaning I have a nearby support network looking out for each other. We are also officially partnered with SurvivorsUK, an incredible charity offering support and services to male and non-binary survivors of sexual violence: They are creating a resource pack to safeguard our audience and giving us a workshop on maintaining a safe space in the rehearsal room! I will be starting counselling with them soon.
In writing, I erased all names and changed aspects about every character so no one completely resembles one single person from my life. Every character, and everything they do, is an amalgamation of various people I have encountered but also some aspects have been inspired by conversations with friends. Although, while writing, I did have to take breaks from certain scenes. Disconnecting from my phone and being present has been the best remedy, whether that’s cooking, reading, or doing a guided meditation.
Good Boy is at theSpaceUK @ Surgeons Hall, Theatre 2, 12 – 24 Aug 2024 (not 18), 20.55 (21.45). For tickets go to https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/good-boy