The best of men
BYLINE: CATHERINE LAMBERT
EDITION: 1
SECTION: inside entertainment
Kim Gyngell relishes his latest role, writes CATHERINE LAMBERT THE exploration of male bonding has become professional for actor Kim Gyngell. As the best friend to
William
McInnes's character in Ray's Tempest, Gyngell is learning more about male friendship and especially his relationship with McInnes.
"He's an immensely talented comic actor and is one of the few people who makes me laugh until my legs go beneath me,'' Gyngell said. "Only a few people in the world can do that. I always have a fantastic time working with him and, with this play, there is an enormous potential to take our relationship to another level.''
McInnes stars in Ray's Tempest as a man given six months to live. Estranged from his family and about to lose his job, he has only one friend -- Duffy, played by Gyngell. The news that Ray is dying brings the men's friendship into focus and debut writer Steve Rodgers looks closely at the nature of Australian men and machismo. "Steve Rodgers is a man who understands Australian maleness and the way Australians pursue their own masculinity -- the strength and weakness of that,'' Gyngell said. "Australian machismo is quite different to American and European machismo. It's essentially insecure, which is why it's often spelt out so enthusiastically. "I love anything that is insecure and slightly dysfunctional. It's my area.''
The men play salesmen with tough exteriors, but who find communication difficult unless talking about events or pastimes. Emotions are never discussed. "With Australian men, there is a latitude we give to each other and we're careful not to encroach into each other's territory,'' Gyngell said. "Men are always happy not to talk about issues or behaviour and there's a feeling that, as a man, he must know what he's doing, so let him get on with it.'' Gyngell said his friendships were different and nowhere near as dysfunctional, yet it was easy for him to recall childhood patterns or observe other relationships. "Men are always boys,'' he said. 'There is no such thing as a mature man. I just don't think men do that. "Women know who they are much earlier. "I know men in their 40s who are just like children and I'm like that myself. "I find it difficult to come to terms with the fact that I'm over 50. "I still feel like a child -- hopefully not an irritating one.''
Ray's Tempest is at Fairfax Studio, Wednesday to April 15.
Bookings: 1300 136 166.
