Paul Harvard’s debut play GHBoy, stars former Hollyoaks regular Jimmy Essex in his first professional stage role. The production, opened at the Charing Cross Theatre, on 3rd of December – with a socially distanced audience in line with COVID-19 measures.
The burgeoning party scene of East London hides a dark secret: a swathe of young men dying unexpectedly, with whispers of an unnamed killer. In the midst of all this, Robert is grieving the death of his father.
He desperately wants to be a better person, but trapped in a pattern of substance abuse and infidelity, he has a lingering fear that he will never find love and acceptance. Unexpectedly, his boyfriend Sergio proposes, compelling Robert to turn his back on addiction and self-sabotage – before he destroys this final chance at happiness.
The Artiscape spoke with Sylvester Akinrolabu about his role in the play.
Akinrolabu plays Devon/Calvin/Chima/Josh/Delroy/ William). He recently graduated with BA in Acting from London College of Music, after training at Identity School of Acting (IDSA). This marks his professional stage debut.
What inspired you to get involved in this production?
Akinrolabu: The main aspect that inspired me to get involved in this project, is the subject matters the story touches on, it’s something I’d imagined the audience haven’t seen before or very often at all
Can you tell us about the GHBoy?
Akinrolabu: The production follows a character’s journey of his relationship and his ties with drug use/chemsex. He wants to become a better person but there are obstacles, his insecurities lead him to make bad choices for himself which consequently affect others.
Can you tell us about the character you play?
Akinrolabu: I play all of Robert’s lovers, who he encounters during the chemsex arrangements. They all share different characteristics, but all have quite a common relationship with Robert.
How did you research your role?
Akinrolabu: The way I researched the roles I was playing, was to boil down to why they do what they do. To acknowledge why these characters turn to drug use or chemsex to feel something. I learned that every addiction is a symptom of a deep rooted denied truth that some of the characters that I play do not want to face.
The other important piece of research was looking into the nature of chemsex. The psychology of participants’ minds whilst under influence of substances and hooking up with people. A documentary was extremely insightful on that matter.
What are the challenges for actors in rehearsing in these pandemic times?
Akinrolabu: The challenge is to convey characters truth and intimacy whilst adhering to COVID-19 rules and regulations.
What would you like an audience to take from this performance during the time that we are in?
Akinrolabu: The main message that I want the audience to take from the performance, is that whatever circumstances you’re in, there’s always a choice to improve and better yourself. To never let a temporary situation, dictate what your future is.
3 – 20 December 2020 at Charing Cross Theatre
Mon – Sat 7.30pm (no Tuesday performances)
Sat & Sun matinee 3.30pm
Running time: approx 90mins
POST-SHOW EVENTS:
9 December – Q&A with David Stuart
17 December – Q&A with a positive voice speaker / Terrence Higgins Trust
