Fucking Men, tsolia and mpares: translating camp talk for the Greek stage

Abstract

ABSTRACT The premiere of Joe DiPietro’s Fucking Men in Greece, in November 2018, sparked intense interest, particularly in the local gay community. Adapted from Arthur Schnitzler’s controversial La Ronde, the play delves into the emotional and sexual dynamics of gay men within late capitalism, exploring themes such as promiscuity, fear of outing, HIV/AIDS, closeted lives, and the complex nature of relationships. Antónis Galéos translated the play, offering insights into Greece’s modern gay landscape. This article addresses the underexplored intersection of gender, sexuality, and theatre translation, focusing on the construction of gay identities through verbal camp. Using Keith Harvey’s descriptive framework on surface features of camp, it examines how verbal camp is translated into Greek, highlighting its impact on stage effects and on broader societal implications. This study aims to shed light on the nuanced construction of gay identities across languages and cultures, emphasizing visibility and representation within the local gay community.