Guy and John's breakup is an anti-love story that begins with Guy, an alternative cabaret artist who can’t seem to find the boundaries between his performance self and the self he wishes to be within his relationship, searching for the perfect breakup song to cope with his... breakup.

His partner, John, is doing his PhD research titled “The Fear and the Gain” in gay relationships—an analysis of, as Guy puts it, “The Gay Fear of Love.” To celebrate the end of John's research, they invite his mentor and his new hot potato of a boyfriend. The four share banter, ideas, and one too many drinks, leading to sexual tension between the couples and exposing Guy and John's frustration with their relationship and unfulfilled desires.

When the inevitable breakup unfolds, Guy has to accept it and find the words to lament and celebrate his relationship—eventually, he puts it into a song.

The play explores themes such as queer relationships, the struggles of managing a same-sex relationship within a heteronormative society in which “straight-presenting” relationships are either something to aspire to or run away from, and the constant yearning for thrills in our modern romantic connections.

Written and directed by Gur, with dramaturgy by Avihud Tidhar, it was performed at The Divine (2024) and King's Head Theatre (2025). 

​

From the most recent review of our King’s Head Theatre run:

"The real achievement of Piepskovitz's script lies in its brutal honesty. It doesn't hide behind easy stereotypes or feel the need to soften the blows. Instead, it dives headlong into the thornier aspects of gay intimacy: age gaps, status anxiety, open relationships, and the unspoken resentments that bubble up when people try to fit unruly feelings into neat narratives."

 

For the full review:
everything-theatre.co.uk – Review: Earworm, King’s Head Theatre

​

For other reviews: 

https://playstosee.com/reviews/earworm-an-anti-romcom/

https://jksees.uk/blog/2024/10/29/earworm-the-importance-of-music

​