There actually couldn’t be better conditions laid out for Australian Open (the play) to hit the stage in Melbourne. The only thing more persistent than the summer heat is the tennis-mania driven by the actual Australian Open.

Meanwhile, Midsumma Festival is leading a glittery trail of gay festivities and queer resistance throughout the city. And to top it off, every other person you meet is currently fawning over a horny Canadian gay sports romance television series (and rightly so).

I challenge you to find a more genius stroke of theatrical programming than the decision to mount this very gay romantic drama that bounces between the worlds of elite tennis, family meltdowns, and open relationships. Game. Set. Match.

Better yet, playwright Angus Cameron has served up a delightfully entertaining script that skilfully darts between big laughs, juicy drama, and some pointed social commentary about the progressive middle class. 

Alec Gilbert and Eddie Orton in Australian Open. Photo © Sarah Clarke

Under the direction of Riley Spadaro (Hot Tub), this cast is dressed to the nines in all-white activewear and more than ready to play ball, too.

Set and costume designer Harry Gill gives the ensemble a deliciously camp court on which to volley – with a canopy of disco balls suspended above a multi-level stage set with tennis-themed props. 

We meet Felix (Sebastian Li) groaning his way through a dinner in honour of his 31st birthday, where all his parents (played by Jane Montgomery Griffiths and Alec Gilbert) want to talk about his boyfriend Lucas’ (Eddie Orton) latest match against Rodger Federer. That is, until his parents become fixated on the idea that Felix and Lucas cannot possibly continue their open relationship once they get married (which they clearly have to do, now that it’s legal for them to do so). 

All this talk of loyalty and fidelity dislodges some complicated cracks in the supposedly rock-solid foundation of his parents’ marriage. When Felix’s scientist sister (played by Melissa Kahraman) unexpectedly lands back in the country, she’s ready to meddle, and all bets are off. 

Melissa Kahraman, Eddie Orton and Sebastian Li in Australian Open. Photo © Sarah Clarke

While much of the action centres on the men of the family, it must be said that the women in this cast sneak up to steal the show with comedic performances that pack a punch. 

While the first iteration of this play was presented back in the halcyon days of 2019 (as part of Melbourne Theatre Company’s Cybec Electric season), it’s also admittedly still a relief to see a “gay story” where the lead character’s sexual orientation isn’t the issue – or an issue – at all. Whatever is going on with Felix’s dad, notwithstanding.

Jane Montgomery Griffiths and Alec Gilbert in Australian Open. Photo © Sarah Clarke

Rather, it’s a story where we’re treated to the squirmy discomfort of Boomer parents trying to wrap their heads around an unconventional relationship style (spoiler alert: non-monogamy doesn’t become the villain of the story!); and the dilemma faced by many a queer couple nowadays – do you have to sign up for the institution of marriage, just because we’re allowed to now? 

Running at a tight, intermission-free 75-minutes with no overtime, Australian Open deserves its own place in the trophy case of gay Aussie comedies with something to say.

Australian Open plays at Theatre Works, St Kilda, Melbourne until 31 January.