Hommo Dramaturgy: Tom Froy @ Lion and Unicorn

Written, Produced and Directed by T. Froy




Blog: soithoughti.blogspot.co.uk

‘Hommo’ deals with the eroticism of masculinity. It follows two men as they prepare to kill a woman, and concurrently seduce another woman. 

The narratives run alongside each other as the men try to achieve their ideals of manhood. 

These extremities of violence and desire seek to expose the powerful undercurrents of sexuality in hyper-masculine relationships and interactions. 

The play confronts and criticises modern masculinity, presenting a naked vision of the hidden sexuality of gender

What was the inspiration for this performance?

Watching men chatting to each other and seeing the undercurrent power struggle and search of sexual superiority in social engagements between men.

Is performance still a good space for the public discussion of ideas? 

Yes, because people don’t agree with, don’t like, object to my performances and this leads to discussion. ‘HOMMO’ came out of a discussion I had with a friend about how she didn’t like my previous production because it was a feminist play written about the female experience, by a man. So the first play provoked discussion which led to a second play, which will in turn lead to discussion

 How did you become interested in making performance?

It’s quite an easy to way to bring up and flesh and flex out new ideas

 Is there any particular approach to the making of the show?

Teamwork. The more people the greater number of cumulative ideas

 Does the show fit with your usual productions?

Yes. My interest is gender and sexuality

 What do you hope that the audience will experience?

Discomfort. I always want to bring audiences out of their comfort zone. Otherwise they should have stayed at home

 What strategies did you consider towards shaping this audience experience?

I have contacted loads of adult men and asked them why they cry and am publishing their responses in the programme of the play. This is about forcing men to confront their own sensitivity in a strange way. It’s not usual to read your own statement about the last time you cried. And it will be set among the statements of many many others. It makes them part of the performance.