This play is a take on Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel and shows the development between 2 men oppressed by their situation. It’s set in an Argentinian jail in 1975, one year before the books’, publication and stars Samuel Barnett (Molina) and Declan Bennett (Valentin) as they navigate the differences between themselves and understand the meaning of love and self truth.
Both men have been jailed for going against societal norms at the time; Molina for being gay whilst Valentin is a revolutionary. The play starts out slightly disjointed as the audience are thrust into the middle of one of Molina’s recountations of his favourite movies. Silhouette projections are following his every word as he pieces the story together, often exaggerating details to add more excitement. This helps both characters escape from the realities of their lives. Despite this, they are both at odds with each other as Valentin scoffs at the unrealistic nature of the stories, not bothering to understand the reasons behind why Molina loves them so much.
The hostility between them continues until it finally boils over, with each declaring why they were placed in the prison to begin with. Valentin tries to big up his incarceration, saying that he was fighting for a ‘cause’ that he has dedicated his life to and almost sidelines Molina’s reason. There is a moment of understanding from the audience as Molina was fighting to be his own person – he was standing up for something that, at that time, was viewed as disgusting amongst other things. Valentin begins to understand this as the scene draws to an end. From here on out there friendship continues to develop, each step ignited by Molina’s tenderness and both character’s become more open with each other.
There are some unfeasible moments throughout the play particularly between Molina and the warden as she tries to squeeze information from him. It is not a big reveal that Bennett is a mole as Bennett plays the character as to emphasise his tender nature. Instead of complying he struggles to elude the authorities. Some may say that Valentin must have known as each time Molina returned from a meeting, he would have a bag of food from his suddenly healthy mother.
Their relationship peaks when they both finally give into their desires and, despite the times, start a relationship. What the setting allows is a place where both men understand that they can be themselves without the prying eyes of society denouncing everything they do. They realise that they can both be truly honest with each other. It’s only when Molina finally leaves the prison that Valentin finally returns to to the real world and understands what he had.
Samuel Barnett and Declan Bennett are amazing as they show us the tenderness of a love only discovered through unfortunate circumstances. It shows how both characters are only able to rip away their facades and be honest when they have hit rock bottom. Both characters are able to bring out the vulnerability which beautifully translates to their chemistry. The play ends on a note of ambiguity as they have been cast as characters in their own romantic film played inside Valentin’s mind.
On at the Menier Chocolate Factory until May 5th
A playwright's playwright 
Great review.
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