I saw Holding the Man in June 2010 at the Trafalgar Studios, London.
It was wonderful, and now one of my favourite plays. I read the Timothy Conigrave’s book of the same name after reading the play, and both were brilliant. The play obviously didn’t encompass everything in the book, but was still moving, funny and interesting.
Holding the Man follows the relationship of Tim Conigrave and John Caleo, from their teens until Caleo’s death in 1992. Both contracted HIV and were diagnosed with the virus in 1985. Conigrave finished writing the book shortly before dying from AIDS in 1994. Although a large section of the book is about HIV/AIDS, it is also about the innocence of love and it’s power. Tim’s line, ‘I’ve killed the man I love’ (Murphy, 2006, p.86), has stuck with me because it is so tragic, yet shows the power of love as Tim nursed John until his death.
Tim’s final letter to John reduced me to tears both in the play and in the book.
‘I guess the hardest thing is having so much love for you and it somehow not being returned’ (Murphy, 2006, p.110). This quote from Tim’s letter shows his yearning for love which he has lost. It encompasses the love between John and Tim, and how strong their relationship was although it wasn’t easy when they became affected by AIDS.
Works Cited
Murphy, Tommy (2006) Holding the Man, London: Nick Hern Books
