Critically Acclaimed Australian Play ‘Holding the Man’ at Matrix

Imagine that you’re a gay boy in an all-boys school in the 1970s, with a crush on the captain of the football team. That’s the story at the core of “Holding the Man,” presented by the Australian Theatre Company (ATC) at the Matrix on Melrose.

Two Australian schoolboys meet at the age of 15 and fall in love, but their story of love, relationships and life in the era of AIDS is a universal one. Directed by Larry Moss, the story is written by Tommy Murphy and based on the autobiographical book by Timothy Conigrave.

Critically acclaimed and wildly successful in Australia, “so far we have had amazing reviews,” says company manager Jackie Diamond, of the play’s debut nearly two weeks ago.

“[The play] follows their story as they go through all the joys, laughs, trials, and tribulations of young love, and then into the more serious part of their lives as young adults in the ‘80s,” says Diamond. “It is a beautiful story of love.”

Tickets are $34.99 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles. Call: (323) 852-1445. Runs Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights 8 p.m. and Sunday Matinee 3 p.m. Closes June 29. Tickets can be purchased on plays411 www.holdingtheman.us