As Is

by William M. Hoffman
Trafalgar Studios
1 July - 1 August 2015

After a sell-out run at the Finborough Theatre, As Is transferred to the West End’s Trafalgar Studios.

“Sometimes I’m so scared I go back on my resolutions: I drink too much, and I smoke a joint, and I find myself at the bars and clubs, where I stand around and watch. They remind me of accounts of Europe during the Black Plague: groping in the dark, dancing till you drop. The New Wave is the corpse look. I’m very frightened and I miss you. Say something, damn it.”

New York City, 1985. Rich, a young writer who is beginning to find success, is breaking up with his longtime lover, Saul, a professional photographer. However Rich’s idyll with his new lover is short-lived when he learns that he has contracted the terrifying new disease AIDS and returns to Saul for sanctuary as he awaits its slow and awful progress.

In a mosaic of brilliantly conceived short scenes, some profoundly moving, some brightly humorous, As Is captures the pathos of Rich’s relationship with friends and family, the cold impersonality of the doctors and nurses who care for him and the widely diverse aspects of New York’s gay community. A heartbreaking and unsparing examination of a deeply felt human relationship shattered by a mindless, destructive disease.

Blending humour, poignance and brilliant theatricality, As Is was a revolutionary and groundbreaking play of its time, and is still sadly urgently relevant as the number of gay and bisexual men being diagnosed with HIV in the UK reached an “all-time high” in 2011, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

As Is was the winner of the Obie and Drama Desk Awards, one of Time Magazine’s  ‘Best Plays of the Year’ and nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play. It was originally produced by the Circle Repertory Company Off-Broadway in 1985, and subsequently transferred to Broadway. It was televised in 1986, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg. It now receives its first London production since the 1987 UK premiere at the Half Moon Theatre.

A beautifully wrought tale of love and Aids”
“Defiant where it could be self-pitying, raucous where it could be worthy”
“Wholly remounting the play following it’s 2013 run at the Finborough Theatre (only Poynor remains from the original cast) director Andrew Keates keeps a masterful hand on the pacing – it’s fast and filthy under the beating of disco lights, and slow and forensic in the cold glare of hospital wards.”
★★★★ Dasie Bowie-Sell, Time Out (Critics Choice) 

“Andrew Keates is ready to take his place amongst the top flight of directors of his generation”
“life-affirming and uplifting”
★★★★★ Plays To See

“superb, heart-rending revival”.
“A uniformly excellent cast”.
★★★★ The Stage

“Steven Webb is astonishing”
“As Is must stand as the most relevant piece of theatre around”
“gives audiences as bigger say in their interpretation of the piece than has probably ever been allowed in the theatre before”
“As Is teaches that ignorance is not acceptable”
“This first class production, in the extraordinary hands of Andrew Keates, hits every mark in displaying a dazzling display of undying and forgiving love”
★★★★★ William J. Connolly, The Gay Times

“Beautiful piece of theatre that hits every mark”
“Steven Webb and David Poynor deliver incredible performances”
“Andrew Keates’ direction utilities the space to it’s full potential. He achieves key moments throughout the story, whether big or small, and it flows with quick pace and increasing interest”
Richard Brownie-Marshall, The Huffington Post

“It goes without saying that Keates revival isn’t just a success with an exceptional ensemble company, it is essential theatre that needs to be seen. There is a positive message of hope and love that is a very important one and one that you’re not likely to forget anytime soon”
“Some revivals are as groundbreaking as they are essential bringing forth a message that audiences wont forget. This can be more of an added burden for the company yet Keates has worked tightly with his company who show a deep commitment to rise to the challenge and do justice to this work.”
★★★★★ The New Currant

“The quality of both direction and acting are superb with its depth and realism created”
My Theatre Mates

“Outstanding! A fantastic, poignant portrayal”.
“Brilliantly written, incredibly deep and takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions”.
“Every cast member does the production credit”
★★★★★ Laura Kate Jones, Everything Theatre

“Andrew Keates has created a number of wrap-around events including post-show Q&A’s.  The goal is to encourage people to be tested for HIV, and free HIV testing is available after every Friday night performance. After seeing the play I’ve decided to be tested, whatever the result this play will certainly have changed the way I think about HIV and AIDS. Running for only a month, this is not a show you should miss”
★★★★★ Theatre Weekly

“A really awesome piece of theatre.”
“Outstanding in every respect.”
“Andrew Keates direction is spot on from the lovely opening to the ending, there is not a single moment I would change”
★★★★★ Terry Eastham, London Theatre1

“This is something director Andrew Keates knows all to well, he is an active campaigner and ambassador for Terrence Higgins Trust urging the seriousness of this disease to be recognised without stigma or prejudice. He guides the production with acute sensitivity and warmth, that leaves you laughing one moment and crying the next”
“A humanity and endearing quality that lingers long after the production”.
“It may only be 80 minutes but boy it packs a punch.”
★★★★★ Becky Usher, West End Wilma

“Essential theatre that needs to be seen”
★★★★★ The New Review

“Steven Webb gives a superb display of wavering defiance”
“the revival that it deserves in a production that is both funny and poignant”
★★★★ ½ Stephen Bates, The Public Reviews

“The stellar cast bring great humanity to the piece which has been staged with style by director Andrew Keates“
★★★★ Andrew Tomlins, West End Frame

“a timely reminder of how far we’ve come, and the distance we still have to go”
★★★★ So So Gay

“an absorbing portrayal of fear, love and tragedy”.
“Webb is an excellent, intuitive actor”
★★★★ British Theatre

“As you’d expect, the piece is sincerely moving but what’s truly impressive is that it remains entertaining, even hilarious, throughout the performance thanks to Hoffman’s fantastic script and Keates’ well-judged direction”
“an inspiring piece of theatre to watch”
★★★★ Jessica Gray, The Theatre Tourist 

“As Is remains a vital, powerful and relevant piece of theatre thirty years later”
★★★★ The Gizzle Reviews –

“Andrew Keates no doubt directs a vibrant, non apologetic piece, placing a miscroscope on a subject matter that otherwise is designated to the mid 80s and forgotten about, although millions currently live with HIV and AIDS.”
Lucy Basaba, Theatre Fullstop

“As Is never preaches, rather it delivers.”
“The emotional and physical importance of As Is demands that it be seen.”
Jonathan Baz

“Andrew Keates’ beautifully assured direction”
Timothy Ramsgate, Reviews Gate

“As Is makes you reflect on how far we have come (eg understanding of HIV transmission, treatment options) but also consider what remains to be done (eg fighting prejudice, stigma and discrimination directed against HIV positive people). Writing that is funny, sharp, intelligent, and thoughtful; a very strong ensemble cast; staging that puts you at the centre of the action, making you engage with the play; and important messages for you to take home, act on, and which will stay with you for a long time to come. Highly recommended.”
Rats Patel, EQ Review