Hello, I am new here and must say I really like what I've seen of the forum. I have registered here because I need opinions about a theatre play I have been commissioned to co-write (for a charity-fundraising troupe). I am writing the plot, the characters' profiles etc... and my co-writer will do the dialogues (he knows all the actors personally so that will help). The main cast is a posh ménage à trois in the late 1950s. Long story, but we hardly have a choice... A gay man (middle-aged), his male lover (much younger), and the lover's new girlfriend (even younger), who gets pregnant and moves in with them for a while. Now, I guess that being a woman who's always been with men makes me straight (though I hate the term and I have never defined myself as such without reluctance) and I have a fair few gay and bi friends. I respect their opinions (and my own) about my characters, but I would like more opinions about who my characters might be, their motivations, and so on. My problem is, the play has to be a comedy. I see in this a wonderful opportunity to "update" olden-days ménage à trois plays, but it seems to me that there is a very fine line between fun and cliché, and thoughtfulness and offense. This is why I am asking for opinions. This play is fiction grounded in fact, so anything goes - I don't have to stick to the "real" story behind the play as we know next to nothing about the people involved, who have been dead a long time. Do you have any ideas what I should "do" with those characters? What pitfalls should I avoid / what clichés would get on *your* nerves if you were in the audience? Comedy is typically full of clichés, hence my concerns! I guess I'm just really worried I might inadvertently miss my opportunity to make this play open-minded and tolerant, especially as I will not direct it myself. I am especially puzzled by and concerned about the bisexual lover. I think I understand him sexually, but not emotionally. But as I said, I only want opinions / pointers / warnings etc. I will read and (seriously) consider all comments when it comes to writing. Thanks in advance for your opinions and thoughts, Nadia.
