Fat Pig

Fat pig. Two words, by themselves, that can be neutral, but put together? Volatile, upsetting and aggressive. Often shouted from cars, whispered behind backs or, not so often, but still occasionally – right to the person’s face. Confrontational. Words that cannot be ignored.

The author, Neil La Bute is probably well aware of this and it’s likely some of the reasoning why he decided to title his play Fat Pig.

I’m going to see the closing night performance on Saturday evening. It’s a play I’ve wanted to see for a fair while now.

For those that don’t know, Fat Pig is about a professional, fit, stereotypically good looking man named Tom, who falls in love with a fat librarian named Helen. His friends and co-workers (including a woman he was on/off dating) find out about their relationship and say nasty things about the “fat pig” Tom is dating. Helen is offered a new job in another town, but does not want to leave Tom. He has to decide whether he can accept all of Helen and ignore the jibes from his co-workers and friends and she has to decide whether she should stay with a person who cares so much about what other people think, even to the possible detriment of a loving relationship.

I’m wary. I’ve heard such good things about the play itself, the actors, the set design and everything involved with the play. But, I’m wary of the audience. I’m wary of audience reactions. I don’t expect theatregoers to be heckling or disrespectful — at least not in public, where everyone can see them, that is.

It will be a confronting experience. I think it will be challenging to a great deal of the audience members. I think it will challenge me. I’m looking forward to it, but …

I’m wary.