Boy Toy is Above The Stag Theatre’s first foray into full-on dance. Conceived, directed, and choreographed by William Spencer, this is a memorable hour of lifts and twirls and leaps that is loosely based upon the classical ballet Coppelia. However – this being Above the Stag – there’s also a gay hen-party, a duel with dildos, and plenty of hot boy-on-boy action.
Saul Kilcullen-Jarvis and Lance Collins are lovers Simon and Freddie. Kilcullen-Jarvis’ lithe and limber frame contrasts beautifully with the more stout and muscular Collins, and the pair have a seductive chemistry as they tangle into one another. There’s a superbly choreographed sex-scene that is sensuous enough to come across as scandalous, despite nothing really revealing or carnal taking place on stage at all.
Dance captain Matthew Brazier takes the role of Maxamillian – the best friend. Brazier is a delight to watch, and is particularly adept at slapstick – never more so than when accidentally gagging on a giant knobbly dildo. And Callum Tempest is deliciously disturbing as sex-shop proprietor Dr C. Ostensibly the villain of the piece – one can’t help feeling rather sorry for the seedy salesperson as his plans to bring a male mannequin to life go catastrophically awry…
The style is a fusion of ballet and tap, set to a new arrangement of Delibes’ music energetically jazzed up by Musical Director Aaron Clingham. And crucially – the whole piece is completely accessible to anyone, regardless of their level of familiarity with the genre. Anyone visiting London over the Pride season will be able to fully enjoy this silly sexy saga whether they speak english or not. Glorious, graceful, and gay-as-you-like, this is hot stuff – and an impressive directorial debut from Spencer. We look forward to seeing more of his work – perhaps the ‘summer dance piece’ can become a regular fixture in Above the Stag’s calendar…?
Gay Times gives Boy Toy – ★★★★☆
