The best plays are ones which sit in my mind, long after the curtain call. The special blend of plays that, the longer they percolate and brew, they deepen. Not only in colour but in depth and substance. This is “Next Fall”, a Boyslikeme Productions play, on now at The Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst. Have I really compared “Next Fall” to coffee? Yes, I have – and believe me, I love my coffee strong which is what this play is! “Next Fall”, written by Geoffrey Nauffts, is a layered and emotional piece of theatre and had me thinking not only about the physical aspects of the play, but also about important current themes revolving around love, religion and societal and family expectations.
At the heart of it, is a love story between a couple. Adam and Luke are gay, and they’re in love. If only Life was that harmonious. Set in 2009 in New York City, their relationship unfolds, alternating between the present and flashback scenes of the preceding five years of their relationship. In the opening scene, Holly (Natasha Vickory) and Brandon (Jason Jeffreries) are in a hospital waiting room. They don’t appear to be too familiar or comfortable with each other. Arlene (Sophie
Gregg) enters with a whirlwind of chatter.
After some time, the audience experiences Adam (Luke Jacobz) and Luke (Conor Fogarty) falling in love, moving in together and their friendship with Holly, a candle shop owner and Adam’s boss. The age gap between the two doesn’t affect them (Adam is older than Luke) but there are two other differences which divide the pair. Luke is deeply religious, and consequently not open and honest with his family about his relationship with Adam. And he is not honest to himself about living his own truth and being comfortable in his own sexuality.
There’s one particular scene which stands out to illustrate this. It’s a simple scene, with Adam and Luke joking around in their apartment. Jacobz and Fogarty show the easiness of their characters, and there is beauty in their connection. They could be any loved up couple in the world. It all crumbles in an instant when Adam, who is agnostic, says one line, delivered by Jacobz with a heartbreaking plea, “I want you to love me more than Him.” The way that Fogarty portrays Luke in the following moment was perfection, and his silence cut like a knife. To me, this was a poignant moment and one which had less to do with sexual orientation, and more to do with faith and upbringing in the church. In any relationship, companionship with religious beliefs will lead to a happily ever after, in the “forever after”.
The play regularly transitions between past and present time periods, the latter in a hospital waiting room. This is indicated by a disconcerting and purposeful electric buzz accompanying a quick flash of light. At times this seemed disjointed and a even especially after a comedic scene. Kudos to set and lighting designer Casey Moon-Watten for creating this delineation between the past and shocking present.
In scenes where Adam comes face-to-face with Luke’s parents, Arlene and Butch (played by Gerard Carroll), Jacobz’ masterful performance swings between his character being respectful and unsure, to building up to an explosive scene, which stands out as a powerful moment. Carroll delivers a compelling performance as Butch, embodying a stern, traditional man of faith with conviction and a steady dose of homophobia. Another encounter with Butch and Luke deepens the emotional complexity of the story, highlighting Luke’s internal struggle and the bravery required to reveal his true self to his father. The scene poignantly explores the universal theme of seeking parental acceptance and approval, an enduring desire that persists regardless of age.
“Next Fall” skilfully weaves comedic moments throughout the script with witty dialogue lightening the play’s more serious subject matter. The cast embraces this, notably in one scene where Adam finds himself in his apartment alone with Butch. Knowing that Butch is unaware that he is Luke’s partner, yet wanting to be polite and a good host, he offers Butch a cup of tea. The two men end up discussing the ‘dainty’ teacups, with Adam offering a sweetener in the cutest ever honey bear
pot. The campuses of this scene was golden and had the audience laughing at the clearly uncomfortable Adam.
Producer and Director Darrin Redgate has brought together a talented cast and crew, delivering an insightful blend of drama, humour and pure heartfelt emotion that will leave audiences with a play to remember and think about, long after the curtain falls. “Next Fall” offers a poignant reflection on society’s ongoing struggle for acceptance and harmony. Despite being set 17 years ago, Luke’s reluctance to come out to his parents and the internal pressures he faces within his relationship with Adam, mirror fractures that still exist in today’s social climate. It is both interesting and disheartening for me to see how little progress has been made. I hope that it won’t take another 17 years for society to embrace the true essence of love and kindness, no matter who you are, who you believe in and who you love.
“Next Fall” is unmissable – bring a friend!
Season run: 22 October – 7 November 2026
Eternity Playhouse 39 Burton St Darlinghurst
Run time: 135 minutes with a 20 minute interval
Tickets: www.nextfall.com.au
To book tickets to Next Fall, please visit https://www.nextfall.com.au/.