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Dan Bernett takes the stage in the Teachers Club with his own play Phi Alpha Gamma. This is the story of a fraternity in a Christian college in turmoil. On of their brothers has been jailed for 3 years for breaking a gay man’s arm in a queer bashing. Another brother who participated wasn’t caught by the police. The Fraternity’s self image is under threat and they are scorched by the reaction of gay rights groups who held an anti violence vigil outside the frat house.
We the audience are the new recruits. Patrick is a clean cut young leader who has helped the fraternity through the scandal and he and older brothers David and Jacob monitor the behaviour of new recruits so that nothing else will happen to damage the reputation or survival of the brotherhood. Things are on an even keel, concealing the inner resentments that the gays have scored a punch back at the brothers by exposing their queer hunting and bashing activities.
There is a moral dilemma played out in Phi Alpha Gamma. The Bible can be used to give clear guidance on what is right and wrong and what can be tolerated. What happens when there is contradictory advice in the Bible, especially when one brother ‘comes out’. Which version of Christianity prevails? What is the impact on the brotherhood which is torn between loyalty for its imprisoned gay bashing brother, Aaron and holding on to its traditional values.
This is a complex and engaging piece, gently portrayed by Bernett. His smooth baritone voice reassures and calms the audience as he plays a variety of roles with simple but clever distinctions between the characters. The Jacob and David roles can be a little difficult to separate at times as they both speak from the same moral base and it is a rare insight into the power of bible teaching in the USA. The fact that so many young men would look to the Bible for an answer to a dilemma without ever applying their own life experience is a situation I would speculate that is not repeated in modern Ireland. In that Phi Alpha Gamma is quite fascinating.
There are many layers to the well written piece. It could as an actor equally be staged with more actors but Bernett’s quiet confidence is skilful and stimulating. The sub plot of Aaron and his life in prison is an essential strong point of the play and is presented clearly and distinct from the other characters with an excellent twist at the end.
This is a secure and accessible performance, capturing all the insecurity of well meaning youth when faced with dilemmas that have no clear reference points in their lives up to this. The simple setting, lighting by Chris Nugent and the simplest of effective props keep clarity at the centre of this neat production. Phi Alpha Gamma is a very good story, well written and presented and a memorable night in the theatre.
Review: Gordon Farrell