←Recommendations of Confirmation Bias

A poignant encounter between two well-drawn characters at a pivotal moment, this epitomizes what a 10-minute play can accomplish. Wholly believable and quite engrossing.

First off, love the language of CONFIRMATION BIAS. It feels fresh and contemporary, while still being rooted in the time period. A fascinating imagined scene between two men and the distance between their lifestyles and freedoms. Chuck is freely out, while David is guarded and skittish.

The anxiety and contortions required to remain in the closet are compellingly illustrated in this portrait of an important moment in queer history. Hooker's study broke new ground among mental health professionals and we see here just how much courage it took for gay men to participate.

An important moment in queer history is brilliantly rendered by Malakhow. This play blends the personal, the political and the historical, and gives the audience, especially the queer ones of us, a glimpse into the human moments that make up our collective history. Well done.

It's very important to highlight the work of a pioneer who has otherwise been overlooked and forgotten. In this play Nick does this brilliantly in this fictional tale of two men meeting accidently at the anonymous study. At times it's awkward, but in a nice way as the two form a bond and eventually agree to go into this together. Thankfully acceptance is making strong steps forward on a road of which there are still a few miles ahead. This is a great two hander!

This is a beautiful play that reminds me of how much the LGBTQIA community has come and the fact that so many people actually survived and pushed the boundaries way before it was acceptable to do so. Even with all the scientific proof that has been done to help us gain a seat at the table, a lot of religious people still drag us back to the medieval days with what they say is right and wrong and people still get killed throughout the world because of this belief. Still a long road ahead but one I'm always ready for.

This piece is a balance between nervous tension and comedy as two men meet outside the house of a psychiatrist to be studied. The awkwardness between them is constructed brilliantly to the point that I dare say the audience would feel a little awkward themselves (in the best way). The writer has been able to pull his audience to feeling with his characters, which is what makes brilliant theatre for me.

CONFIRMATION BIAS offers a zoomed-in look at a lesser-known yet important moment in queer history. Malakhow’s short play immerses you in David’s fear and shame, yet there’s a quiet thread of humor underneath it as well. Intimate and compelling, this play has a lot to offer.

A groundbreaking 1950s’ study on homosexuality in McCarthyite America provides framework and motivation for the imagined accidental meeting between two participants. This original premise inspired by a true story is skilfully brought to life through the reactions of two men, one ebullient and the other in self denial, with a third character unseen, the woman running the study. This is a compelling, refreshing piece conveying the impact of an oppressive era through a tense encounter, yet still mining the humour giving two actors tremendous scope to convey a personal and societal turning point...

Fantastic two-hander that looks at a piece of history not many know about. Malakhow's dialogue and roller coaster of emotions that he takes these characters through is perfect as always.