Fresh from Australia, Fag/Stag is an award-winning production which is at Underbelly Cowgate for this Edinburgh Fringe. Written and performed by Jeffrey Jay Fowler and Chris Isaacs it examines friendship from two different viewpoints in a very cleverly constructed way.
Armed with a table and stool each, Fowler and Isaacs begin the story of Corgan and Jimmy, told from their own point of view. A wedding invitation has arrived from Tamara, Corgan and Tamara dated for four years, while Jimmy had a brief thing with her in school before he’d fully accepted that he was gay. Corgan and Jimmy are now best friends and the wedding invitation sets in motion a rich story of love, depression and what friendship truly means.
They are telling the same story, but it’s very interesting, and at times funny, to hear the different versions of the same event. Fowler and Isaacs work in perfect harmony, the timing is spot on and there is clear chemistry between them as friends. Some Australian references peppered throughout really help set the scene and give everything context.
For the most part this is a comedy, and it has some real laugh out loud moments, their respective experiences of Tinder and Grindr highlight the differences and similarities between the two friends. There are also some very touching moments, the way they look out for each other and find comfort in each other is particularly endearing.
Fag/Stag is an expertly crafted piece of writing, which is performed with real ingenuity from the talented pair. Not only is it a beautiful story, it is beautifully told, as they take audiences with them, on a very personal journey.
