My Life as a Cowboy is a queer theatre show that attempts to weave a fantasy out of a very mundane life.
Conor (Harry Evans) is 17. When he isn’t in college with ‘best friend’ Zainab (Nusruth Tapadar), he’s at his job as a Lifeguard at the local swimming pool. There, colleague Michael (Callum Broome) belittles him, when he even deigns to talk to him at all.
Set in Croydon, Conor wants to find a way to leave behind the town he despairs of. A seemingly recent discovery of an enthusiasm for Country and Western dancing, coupled with “Croydon People’s Day”, may offer such an opportunity. The celebratory Day will have a talent show, and one of the judges will be the American Talent Agent of Croydon’s own Leona Lewis.
Despite the initial antagonism between them, Michael confesses to Conor his fondness for Country music, and for playing the guitar, and so a tentative accord is formed. With a plan hatched for the trio to perform together at the Talent Contest, the narrative of the play follows the burgeoning acquaintanceships, and the developing confidence of both Conor and Michael.
With three characters all aged 17, it would be easy to imagine that a romance subplot would form part of the story arc. That it does not is a refreshing change from many works of fiction which often crow-bar such a development into their narrative.
Indeed, the fact that Conor is gay isn’t really a point that occupies the characters’ thoughts. Perhaps including more references to this would have helped with his fervour to escape Croydon. As it is, any motivation beyond mere teenage unrest, fails to exist.
Whilst it’s fair to observe that friendship groups often have deeply layered and complex shared languages which can be imperceptible from bullying to outsiders, such shared language is usually built on years of communicating. There’s also always an underlying affection. Here, there seems to be just anger and spite. Even Conor and Zainab don’t appear to actually like each other too much, and they’re supposed to be best friends.
As well as the tone of how the trio speaks to each other, there are sometimes issues with the actual dialogue placed into the character’s mouths. There’s more than the occasional “Hello, fellow kids!” incongruity about some of the lines, with the characters suddenly sounding like they’re in their mid-40s and their own parents rather than a bunch of teenagers just trying to survive college.
Beyond the stilted dialogue, is the stilted pace. Overlong scene changes mean any momentum that has been built dissipates, and is hard to regain. Scenes carry on without going anywhere, and the script feels like it isn’t sure who the star of the piece is. It should be Conor, but often it feels like Micheal. This is especially the case in terms of who is afforded significant character development.
There are some lovely comic moments, and the cast is all giving it everything they can, but the material isn’t as strong as their skills.
The conclusion however does surprise, presenting a bright spot in a production that has a solid premise, but needs another revision of the script.
My Life as a Cowboy continues at the Omnibus Theatre, Clapham, until 8th September 2024
