Billed as a queer western, the Siren Theatre production of Cowbois has rolled into town. From the pen of English playwright Charlie Josephine the work has already played the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Court Theatre.
Tackling subjects such as gender identity, sexual fluidity, stereotypes and ethnicity, Cowbois also features a large number of non-binary performers in a 160-minute (with internal) romp across the Old West as it demolishes expected behaviour.
Complete with singing, dancing and shoot ‘em ups, what’s not to like?
Cowbois opens in a saloon setting as we are introduced to the women and a kid of in an un-named western town.
We quickly realise that with the exception of the dipsomaniacal sheriff (Matthew Abotomey), they are the only inhabitants as their men folk have been struck with gold fever and have been in the digging fields for almost a year, and the news filtering back is not good.
Into town rolls a wanted outlaw, Jack Cannon (Jules Billington), who has escaped an ambush by Toothless Tommy (Zachary Aleksander) and his gang, and is looking to stay at the saloon, owned by Miss Lilian’s (Emily Cascarino) absent husband Frank.
Frank has operated the bar with the one rule of “No Politics, No Guns” which Lillian is determined to maintain. We also learn that Jack is more than the one-dimensional outlaw, travelling with his own spotlight and magical confetti and they quickly charm the women and Kid (Rory Spinks).
Before we know it, Jack has knocked up Lillian and the other townsfolk undergo radical changes in their sexual orientations and outlooks, including even the god-fearing Sally-Ann (Jane Phegan) and the softly spoken Miss Lucy (Faith Chaza).
And then the menfolk reappear and mayhem ensues as they must come to grips with the changes undergone by the women while they have been away.
Cowbois has been one of the most anticipated productions of the year, not only for the queer and gender fluid community but also for their friends and those interested in the enormous subject of gender identity politics.
In almost all of these areas Cowbois disappoints as it relies on worthiness rather that execution for its affirmation, and it all starts with the the script, which seems to be an early draft rather than a polished template for the performers and director.
Way too long at 140 minutes it is often repetitive and full of air as it presents characters with little motivation and as full of the stereotypes that it claims to demolish.
From the slow opening with the band that is lacking in energy, to the women gathering in the saloon, we have little respite until the arrival of Jack Cannon, who is well played with cheesy charm by Billington.
Even the skilful physicality of Abotomey’s prat falling sheriff cannot explain his sudden transformation nor that of some of the women.
Reprising the joke aside “queer” is not enough to keep this cowpoke interested and the didactic raison d’être presented in the second act comes out of nowhere and is quickly forgotten.
The cast of 16 is uneven in their ability to deliver lines clearly and audibly, and at times their singing and hoofing chops are not up to being the show stopping moments that the script calls for.
Director Kate Gaul’s ability to keep a tight rein on this unwieldy often slips as does the overall energy that the production requires to maintain interest.
Cowbois is a missed opportunity to highlight some important issues in our community and as a platform for queer and non-binary talent it could have been so much more.
Cowbois
Reginald Theatre – Seymour Centre, Corner City Road and Cleveland Street, Chippendale
Season continues to 13 December 2025
Bookings: www.seymourcentre.com
For more information, visit: www.sirentheatreco.com for details.
Images: Jane Phegan, Nicholas Hiatt, Emily Cascarino, Jules Billington, Faith Chaza and Brandon Christine in Cowbois – photo by Alex Vaughan | Jules Billington in Cowbois – photo by Alex Vaughan | Nicholas Hiatt, Matthew Abotomey, Edward O’Leary and Henry Lopez in Cowbois – photo by Alex Vaughan | Emily Cascarino, Faith Chaza, Brandon Christine, Rory Spinks, Jules Billington, Jane Phegan and Amie McKenna in Cowbois – photo by Alex Vaughan
Review: John Moyle