This frank photo by Brett Boardman, one of Sydney’s leading stage photographers, of Steven Rodgers and Andrea Gibbs, gets to the heart, the essence, of the Griffin Theatre’s current production, Declan Greene’s, EIGHT GIGABYTES OF HARDCORE PORNOGRAPHY, far more than the show’s controversial, attention grabbing title.

Greene’s play is about the struggles, and intersecting journeys of two very ordinary, what could be more ordinary then anonymous, people. As Boardman’s photo shows- with the their slumped, dejected expressions, their zest for life is draining away. It is like neither of them have seen the sunshine for a  long time. Greene’s play charts the journeys of these two people as they try to step into some sunshine, companionship and love.

The show is tough going. There’s some humour but it’s self-effacing and raw. The intimate Stables venue brings this kind of theatre all the way home.

As the two troubled souls, Steve Rodgers and Andrea Gibbs give brave, uncompromising performances. They  capture their characters well; both filling the emptiness in their lives with emotional Blu Tack,- he with downloading porn and alcohol excesses, she with shopping binges…

Lee Lewis directs the production tightly. She was very emotional at the show’s end, seeing it all come together so well, on opening.

Robust, compelling drama, EIGHT GIGABYTES OF HARDCORE PORNPOGRAPHY, a co-production of the Griffin Theatre along with the Perth Theatre Company, opened at the SBW Stables Theatre on Wednesday7th May and runs until Saturday14th June