Midsumma is that time of year when Melbourne leans into its most vibrantly queer unapologetic self, and there is no better place to soak up that festival energy than at Chapel off Chapel. There’s a certain magic to hosting a super gay show in what was previously a chapel turned intimate theatre space. It feels like a well-kept secret where performances are guaranteed to be just a little bit more daring than your average night at the theatre. My plus one and I found ourselves there for the highly anticipated Australian premiere of Afterglow, a play that arrived with a massive reputation from its eighteen-month run off-Broadway and a promise to turn the heat up on our local stage.
The story follows Josh and Alex, a married couple with a baby on the way navigating the complexities of an open relationship, who decide to invite a third, Darius, into their bed for a night. What starts as a simple, physical encounter quickly spirals into something far more intimate and challenging, forcing all three men to rethink their own definitions of love and loyalty. It is a raw and incredibly sensual exploration of polyamory that feels deeply modern.
I loved how the script managed to be genuinely funny one moment and then hit you with a profound sense of vulnerability the next, proving that even the most “progressive” arrangements can still get tripped up by the old-fashioned human heart.
The cast is truly stellar, bringing a grounded intensity to a play that requires a lot of emotional and physical bravery. Yes, the cast spend a fair chunk of time completely naked on stage.
Julian Curtis and Matthew Predny are fantastic, but there was a particular buzz in the room for Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham making his Australian theatre debut. He handles the transition from the diving board to the stage with total grace, holding his own in a production that is as much about psychological exposure as it is about the physical. The chemistry between the three performers is so palpable that you almost feel like an intruder in their living room, watching as their futures are shaken by a single night’s connection.
The staging (complete with indoor shower for some sexually-charged encounters) is excellent, as is the deeply moody lighting, clever sliding mirrored walls and sound design.
By the time we walked back out onto the street, I felt like I’d been through the ringer in the best possible way. It is exactly the kind of provocative, high-quality storytelling that makes Midsumma such a staple of the Melbourne summer.
If you’re in the mood for something that will spark a very long conversation over post-show drinks, I’d suggest grabbing a ticket before the season wraps up and heads north to Sydney. It’s an intimate, beautifully messy look at how we love today, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since the final curtain.
Afterglow is playing now at Chapel off Chapel as part of Midsumma festival. Get tickets here.
The venue is accessible.
