Mind the Gap

With the definition of ‘gay’ constantly shifting perspective, how do the differences between two generations of gay men manifest in 2012? Phil Scott and Vincent Hooper have the answer in their cabaret The Twink and the Showgirl, writes Garrett Bithell.

The vagaries of the generation gap have long been exploited for comedy. But SX columnist and performer Phil Scott and his young protégé Vincent Hooper are heading into less-chartered waters with The Twink and the Showgirl, an irreverent cabaret that examines the differences between two generations of gay men.

“Vinnie and I had done Shakespeare – believe it or not – but wanted to work in a cabaret setting,” Scott tells SX. “He’s an incredible singer. We started with a list of numbers we felt like doing and they were really diverse. I thought we could use that diversity to say something about the generation gap and how it relates to gay culture.”

After seasons in Melbourne and Adelaide, The Twink and the Showgirl is coming to Slide for one night only has part of the Slide Cabaret Festival. According to Scott, the show actually breaks down ageism despite its initial concept. “Watching us perform, it’s clear Vinnie and I have a real bond,” he says. “We’re not lovers – never were and never will be – but we’re great friends and because of the age difference we each get something unique out of the relationship. And there’s comedy to be had out of that too.”

It appears music is the one leveller. “That’s a constant for all age groups and there are musical icons that gays respond to specifically,” Scott asserts. “Old ones like Streisand and new ones like Gaga. It’s not just show tunes, even though we set our show in a gay piano bar a bit like the Albury had back in the 90s.

“The songs we do cover 40s swing to 70s disco to Mika, with lots of duets. We do an extended ‘Rent Boy’ medley – because one of the relationships between young and old in the gay world is based on payment. We do a dance-party segment, which morphs unexpectedly into the 50s show song ‘I Have Dreamed’: here is this boy surrounded by lights and noise and bodies, who is basically alone and all he really wants is one guy he can commit to.”

Despite the fact Hooper is the titular ‘twink’, Scott believes his twink days are numbered. “There are plenty of cliques in our community: bears, show queens, muscle marys (I sound like a late-night TV ad), but within those groups I don’t think the generation gap counts for much.

“Twinks are a special case because you can’t be an elderly twink! Vinnie’s no longer a twink these days. He’s bulked up, and I approve.”

Slide Cabaret & Bar, Darlinghurst, February 28, 9pm. Tickets at www.ticketek.com.au.