In the tradition of medical ethics plays such as Brian Clark’s Whose Life Is It Anyway? and, more recently, Margaret Edson’s Wit, comes emerging Sydney writer Grace Malouf’s drama about a young man’s struggle to convince his parents and the medical profession that he requires radical surgery to align his body with his self-image.

Nineteen-year-old Alexei (Josh Merten) is a promising competitive swimmer whose recent performances have been lacklustre, to say the least. His father, Rob (Richard Hilliar), a retired Olympic gold medallist himself, insists it is simply an attitude problem and believes Alexei will come good with enough pressure.

His mother, Melissa (Kate Bookallil), a surgeon, suspects something more is at play. Alexei, meanwhile, has become deeply engaged in online debate surrounding an American transgender swimmer and whether she should be allowed to compete in women’s competition.

By now, we all think we know where this is heading, right? Think again. Malouf has a surprise in store.

First, Do No Harm: Kate Bookalil and Josh Merten. Photo © Laura Elaine

First, Do No Harm isn’t a perfect play. It is dramatically crowded, heavy on exposition, and its attempts to stage opposing viewpoints...