ONE of Australia’s leading independent theatre companies is coming to Belco Arts next week with a romantic comedy that brings a topical subject out of the closet.

“Become The One” explores why a footballer would choose to remain closeted, and why his openly gay partner might choose to accept it.

The play by Adam Fawcett, a mix tapestry of comedy, drama and romance, asks its audiences to consider the possibility that it could have been the partner and not the athlete, who became the driving force behind Australia’s first openly gay AFL footballer.

Actors Chris Asimos and Mason Gasowski perform for the company Lab Kelpie under the direction of Lyall Brooks in a show that premiered at Melbourne’s Gasworks during 2019 after winning the Playtime Award for New Writing in 2018.

Briefly Tom (Asimos), a successful AFL player who is gay but not out, meets Noah (Gasowski) who’s out, but not proud. When they begin a relationship, Tom doesn’t want to risk his career being affected so it has to be a secret.

Sammy Moynihan, Live Programs officer at  Belco Arts, says he believes the play “will really resonate with Canberra audiences, as it deals with identity, masculinity, and contemporary Australian sport… this will stir up important conversations for local fans of both sport and theatre.”

It’s  an exploration of the true meaning of bravery and what it might take to become “the one” who can be a lover, an elite sportsman and a human being.

“Become The One”, Belconnen Arts Centre May 26-27