Baring its soul for a second year, Bare the musical, is a little bit older, a little bit wiser and still just as poignant.

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Set in a catholic co-ed boarding school, Bare tells of the heartache and turmoil five students face.

Themes of teen sexuality, religious angst and family pressure are set to lyrics, with a backdrop of original rock and pop musical scores.

Bare producer David Gray says the play contains drug use, body issues, the fears associated with coming out and the impacts.

‘It’s got at least one element that someone’s experienced in their lives no matter what their background, whether it be rejection, not fitting in or being gay.

‘It is quite confronting, not physically, just about other things.’

Not wishing to give too much away, Gray says the play will get people thinking even after the curtains have gone down.

‘It’s more retrospective and gets the audience thinking a lot of ways things could have been different,’ he said.

‘I think anyone can identify with something in there, about how a different decision effects an action.

‘It’s like ‘wow that could be me, has been me, still is or has the potential to be’, the play drives home some part of that. It certainly has broad appeal as high school is one constant in everyone’s lives.’

Gray says though, it’s not just limited to the experience of high school.

‘I think it has a broader context,’ he said.

‘The high school setting and characterisation is just one translation of expectations people face. The character of Peter’s mother, many have experienced that, and the priest and the church shows the religious side.

For those who saw the play last year, Gray says audiences will still take away something new from this latest production.

‘Because it is a slightly different cast I think it has changed the direction a little bit,’ Gray said.

‘The first time round we were familiarising ourselves with the characters now we’ve had the ability to grow from it.

‘Due to the change of cast, change of venue and shift in production team we’ve taken it to another level and done it better this time around.

‘We’ve taken it out of the community theatre and given it to a broader audience and as a result it feels a lot freer.

‘Just because you’ve seen it doesn’t mean it can’t have the same impact this time over.

‘In some ways it feels a bit more grown up and there’s a lot richer sound.’

Bare is being staged at Connections Nightclub as part of the Pride Festival from October 21 to 24, with tickets available from contacting pridebaretickets@gmail.com or phoning 0437 945 891.

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