Top Gs Like Me Review: A Bold Exploration of Toxic Masculinity in the Digital Age
Emerging playwright Samson Hawkins delivers a provocative and timely dark comedy with Top Gs Like Me, currently running at Royal & Derngate in Northampton. The production tackles the dangerous allure of misogynistic online influencer culture, particularly for young men grappling with identity and powerlessness in contemporary society.
An Immersive Skate-Park Setting and Social Media Saturation
The audience enters through a graffitied tunnel into an auditorium transformed into a life-size skate-park, a remarkable atmospheric achievement by set designer Rebecca Brower. This unconventional environment perfectly complements the play's exploration of youth culture and digital immersion.
Director Jesse Jones employs exuberant staging techniques that bring social media to life on stage. TikTok-style videos appear and disappear with every swipe of protagonist Aidan's fingers, creating a hallucinatory effect enhanced by Rory Beaton's dynamic lighting and Benjamin Grant's immersive sound design.
Characters Navigating Modern Masculinity and Class Divide
At the story's center is eighteen-year-old Aidan, portrayed with vulnerability by Daniel Rainford, who languishes in low-paid employment while secretly admiring his friend Mia, played by Fanta Barrie. As Mia prepares for university and begins a relationship with the more privileged Charlie, Aidan's sense of inadequacy grows.
Enter Hugo Bang, an Andrew Tate-style alpha misogynist turned social media svengali, brought to devilish life by Danny Hatchard in a slick red suit. Initially appearing among Aidan's social media scrolls, Hugo gradually gains the young man's attention until they engage in intense nose-to-nose dialogue.
Thematic Depth and Contemporary Relevance
Hawkins' script weaves together multiple pressing themes including:
- Class divisions and economic inequality
- Male mental health struggles
- Teen anxiety and identity formation
- Sexual assault and consent culture
- The toxic appeal of online influencer personalities
While bearing some resemblance to Jack Thorne's Adolescence, the production distinguishes itself through its deployment of dark humor and energetic multimedia presentation. The play features wrestlers, wellness gurus, incels, and even a rapping "Queen Liz" with Philip as her baby daddy, all dancing to contemporary tracks including Lisa's Money and Taylor Swift's The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.
Production Strengths and Minor Shortcomings
The production features spirited performances from a cast that includes twenty-five University of Northampton acting students, reflecting a genuine commitment to nurturing emerging talent. This approach feels particularly courageous given recent warnings from National Theatre director Indhu Rubasingham about risk-averse theatre-making and the dearth of new writing.
Some characters, such as Charlie who veers toward rugger-bugger cliche and local alcoholic Dave played by David Schaal, could benefit from more nuanced development. The plot occasionally feels clunky, and moral lessons are sometimes pronounced rather than subtly integrated.
Nevertheless, these minor issues do not detract from the production's blaze of innovative ideas and its timely examination of how toxic masculinity manifests through digital platforms. The play becomes gradually more unsettling as it progresses, effectively conveying the creeping danger of influencer culture that preys on vulnerable young men.
Top Gs Like Me represents exactly the kind of fresh, relevant theatre that addresses contemporary social issues with both humor and seriousness. It continues at Royal & Derngate in Northampton until March 7th, offering audiences a thought-provoking experience that resonates deeply with current conversations about masculinity, social media, and youth culture.
