Berto_Tony_201307_PhD .pdf - University of Guelph

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one-time lover and long-time companion," and his relationship with Playwright as "an
uninteresting marriage." However he finds it "exposes no depth of love, and no compelling
threat to their bond" (Thomas, “His”). In his opinion the play "hits home" when the
"beautiful youth becomes the Playwright's muse" and strips to his underwear (Thomas,
“His”). The reviewer seems to want more about Playwright's muse and its connection to his
sexuality and creativity, praising the aforementioned scene because "love and talent have
gained some importance" in the play. Yet the overarching narrative of Playwright and
Assistant, and its effect on Playwright's creativity, are not referred to in terms of these
parameters. Thomas is also a gay playwright and The Georgia Straight is an alternative biweekly
serving the area. Jerry Wasserman (The Province) makes a similar complaint about
the creative process, writing "nothing here tells us much about what made Williams the
artist tick." While he acknowledges that Assistant and Playwright were "once lovers" and
"once Assistant was the Playwright's muse," his review does not accord this relationship
any influence on the Playwright's creativity. He does however point out that Williams was
"addicted . . . to pretty young men" (Wasserman). Wasserman is well-reputed theatre
academic and performer. The Province is a corporate-owned daily. Jo Ledingham of The
Courier briefly acknowledges Playwright and Assistant's relationship, writing that the latter
"looks after every detail" and "reveals a deep affection" for Playwright, but nothing more.
Yet she also mentions how "Williams prepares for a night of hot sex with a cocky, wouldbe
porn star" (Ledingham, "Tennessee"). The Vancouver Courier is owned by Postmedia
Network Inc., a large conglomerate with several daily newspapers across Canada. Peter
Birnie (Vancouver Sun) warns the play is "heavily homosexual, as it should be" (Birnie,
“Drama”). Again mentioned is Williams as "notorious in his desire for the street trade he