Buff is a one-man play that throws us right into the life of its protagonist (played by Pearse Egan) – a primary teacher who has taken in a new ‘buff’ flatmate, Jamie. Although they develop a close friendship, Egan’s character can’t help compare himself to his new muscle-bound friend and as the play progresses, his insecurities are exposed through bad dating experiences and even cruel comments from the children he teaches.
Buff definitely caters to a specific audience, with its Drag Race, gay hookup app, and sex references that might be lost on some crowds. For those in this world, though, the jokes are fun and observant, and generally pay off, earning laughs in the right places. Egan plays the role with vulnerability and heart, although it feels like there could be even more imaginative use of the performance space and every now and then the performer seems to be holding back.
The richest element of the play isn’t the dating vignettes or the Jamie-adoration; it’s the protagonist’s relationship with and reflections on his ex-boyfriend Ed, who, awkwardly, works in the same school as him. In these moments, the delivery is more tender with a touching honesty to it, and begins to dig at much more fertile emotional ground – which is only explored briefly.
The show is pleasant and sweet but there isn’t always much sense of jeopardy or conflict and it can feel a little more like a sitcom than a comedic drama (although a lot of the humour dies away in the second half). The scene breaks can be awkward too – split-second dimming of the lights and swift lo-fi music interludes, that don’t give us much time to adjust.
Buff concludes with an ode to kindness – to the self and others. It’s an admirable sentiment, although it feels like we’ve chanced upon it rather than really built towards it. Nonetheless, the overall result is an enjoyable hour pulled along by its comedic flourishes and likeable performer.