Analysis Of Straight White Men

The privileges of being a straight white man!

What would you do when you would have the privilege of a straight white man? Do you have a privilege when you are white, straight and a man? These questions are addressed in the new play from the Korean American playwright, Young Jean Lee. Straight White Men, is a sit-com comedy, which explores the struggles in the lives of three straight white brothers, who are visiting their widowed father for Christmas. While playing politically correct board games and eating Chinese takeaway food, the brothers wonder about if their status would actually bring so much privilege and how come things aren’t working out. With this play, Lee investigates the downside of what might usually be seen as the most privileged

The Main focus will be on one actor and how this actor portrayed its character. Matt, played by Hugh Parker, is the eldest of the three brothers. He has moved back in with his father after losing his way in life. Although all the other characters are exaggerated, just as in a sit-com, Parker’s adaption of the oldest brother is in contrast very realistic. Not only in the way the character was portrayed, but also in his attitude towards life, the contrast is clearly visible, while the other brothers have found what they are in life and the oldest hasn’t. The character is effectively portrayed to convey the message and overall theme of the play, by breaking stereotypes and demonstrating which is normally seen as the most privileged, such as being the oldest brother or being a straight white man doesn’t mean that one is the most

The duration and cost of the production have been compared to other media which provide entertainment, such as television and film. A theatre performance is more expensive to attend than cinema. The play only lasted for 85 minutes, a film can go on for two hours or even more. This can have a big influence on why people would choose one medium over the other. Accessibility has also to be taken into account when investigating the relevance of theatre in the 21st century. Television is a medium which can be accessed from home, and usually doesn’t cost a lot of money, whereas theatre costs money and is harder to access. Although the production was Australian, the actors talked with an American accent. Bearing in mind that the play was written in America, which could make it harder for an Australian audience to familiarise with the dilemmas going on, on stage, while the themes discussed seem to be more relevant there than in Australia. Overall this play doesn’t contribute to the relevance of Australian theatre in the 21st century, due to the many other sources people can access for entertainment, and because the play seems to be more relevant for an American audience rather than an