David Berthold seemed to beam over the phone and I was instantly taken by his utterly charming manner. Berthold may not be a household name – yet – but his collaboration with Tommy Murphy on the year’s hit play, ‘Holding the Man’, has ensured that his place in the Australian theatrical firmament is assured. It was a nominated for Best Play at this year’s Helpmann Awards, picked up an Awgie Award as well as a NSW Premier’s Literary Award.

“I take my hat off to Tim Conigrave”, the author ‘Holding The Man’, the book on which Tommy Murphy’s play is based. “His book is a text for young gay men to use to work through issues and their sexuality but also be in tune with their own interior life.”

It would seem that Berthold is all too aware of the very resonant effect that Holding the Man has had, not just on the gay and lesbian community but the wider community as well.

“In the 15-20 years of directing plays, I’ve had more letters, emails and conversations about this particular work than any other; and seen how it has really affected their lives or the lives of those around them.”

Berthold’s career has been stellar working for the Queensland Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, Artistic Director of the Australian Theatre for Young People and until recently as Artistic Director of Griffin Theatre Company. In 1992 Berthold won the Brisbane Critics' Award for his Contribution to Theatre in Queensland.

It was at Griffin where he first staged the now ubiquitous ‘Holding the Man’ that has seen two seasons at The Stables, the Sydney Opera House for a season and is now playing at the Belvoir Street Theatre.

Next year it will be off to Brisbane and to the Melbourne Theatre Company where it will continue to cut a swathe through people’s minds bringing a wider audience closer to the experience of growing up gay. Given that half the play is set in Melbourne, Berthold had always hoped it would be able to play there.

“It’s been a great satisfaction to see the impact that Holding the Man has had and it’s really been quite a humbling experience.”

It would appear that Berthold’s inclusion on the Same Same 25 list has also left him a little humbled.

“I am incredibly flattered about being nominated; I think it is a terrific initiative that will present great role models for young people.”

By James Forbes