Once considered cutting edge, TORCH SONG TRILOGY, or at least this Darlinghurst Theatre Company production of it, now seems quaint.

The triptych seems exceedingly long to the point of tedium, with two intervals seemingly longer than the middle act, maddeningly meddling with the medley’s momentum.

The torch songs that give the show its title and punctuate the narrative, although sung well, predominantly by Hilary Cole, don’t convey any real torture or torment, becoming fill rather than driving or informing the drama.

Those expecting a razzle dazzle from this story of a drag queen get more of a fizzle fazzle, still with a drizzle of requisite zinger bitch lines but with no glitter and glitz or show biz flair.

It’s a sit down com with stand up aspirations, a bromance on bromide.

The cast are pleasant enough. Simon Corfield as the unlucky in love protagonist, Arnold, presents an embarrassment of bitches and perhaps too well judged jadedness.

Tim Draxl is endearing as Ed, the boy next door bisexual, homely as apple pie and promiscuous as a bonobo primate. Stephen Madsen is beef cake brawn libido with no brains at all, the love of Arnold’s life.

Imraan Daniels plays Arnold’s adopted son, David, as a gay ingenue.

Hilary Cole, when not tonsiling the requisite torch songs and standards, impresses as Ed’s wife, a self confessed fag hag.

Rounding out the troupe, Kate Raison chews up the scenery in stereotypical Jewish momma fashion.

Musical director Phil Scott plays Murray, the drag show impresario, accompanying the torch songs with a thrilling trilling of the ivories.

Comfy as a cardigan, albeit with some contentious elements regarding same sex union and adoption, Harvey Fierstein’s TORCH SONG TRILOGY plays like a cosy fireside chat, a pipe and slippers show with a sing along side bar.

TORCH SONG TRILOGY by Harvey Fierstein, directed by Stephen Colyer, plays Eternity Playhouse till August 26.