Review: WET FEET, Union Theatre

Photo credit: Matthew Coulton

Psychologists have observed that, in general, men are more likely to open up in conversation when seated side-by-side – on a walk, in the car, at a football match. Wet Feet is bookended by such side-by-side scenarios, in a sauna and on a park bench, and between these, we follow the story of how two gay men, Franko and Nathan, seek a meaningful connection rather than just a physical hook-up.

We meet Franko, played by Michael Neri, on his first visit to a gay sauna, although he is adamant that he is not gay. Stumbling into a private cabin, he is clearly terrified of getting his feet wet, both physically and metaphorically. Franko’s obsession with hygiene – cleaning down the plastic mattress with disinfectant wipes – at first seems like a device to get some laughs over his lack of awareness of gay sauna etiquette. As the piece unfolds, however, this obsession shows its darker side, being a consequence of his shame about the one thing he cannot control – his sexuality.

Nathan (Matthew Edgar), returning to his rented cabin, takes a shine to Franko and despite it being clear that there won’t be any casual sex, takes the rookie Franko under his wing. Nine years younger than Franko, Matthew is sexually confident, and his character initially provides a counterbalance to Franko being so closeted.

For reasons never quite clear, the two men continue to regularly meet at the sauna, their weekly chats allowing the back stories of both characters to emerge. The narrative initially focuses on Franco’s story and the impact both of being brought up in an oppressively religious family and also growing up in the shadow of section 28, a law which until 2003 prohibited the ‘promotion’ of LGBTQ+ issues in schools. But it gradually becomes clear that Matthew, in his own way, is as emotionally unavailable as Franco and has his own issues to deal with.

The actors bring different energies to their parts, and beautifully play off one another. Neri embodies Franko’s neuroses and skilfully shows how humour can be used to fend off intimacy. Edgar effectively presents Nathan as apparently more comfortable in his skin, but equally vulnerable under his bravado.

Neri is credited as writer, although in interview, he has acknowledged that creating the piece involved his co-star Edgar. Dominic Rouse’s direction keeps everything moving swiftly along for the 70-minute duration, and Rose Ryan’s movement direction steers the actors through the moments of physical contact that each character has to respond to differently. Reuben Speed’s simple design and Massimo Neri’s lighting create a convincing sauna cabin whilst allowing the audience’s attention to remain fully on the actors.

In this Pride month, Wet Feet is a witty and emotional reminder that however far gay rights have come, self-acceptance of one’s true identity can still be challenging.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Mike Askew

Wet Feet plays at the Union Theatre, London until 29 June, with further info here.