The Wire

Street observers would never guess that Reet and George Nicholl are having a party. Their three-story house in a leafy Eastern suburb street in Sydney looks just like any other house, with an open backyard where they feed their two magpies. But their friends know that the Nicholls are always ready to have some fun. With a great level of discretion, they host their guests in the dungeon room, the medical room, or the lounge room – having a chat and a quick smoke. All in their mid 50s, they are enthusiastic participants of Sydney’s Bondage and Discipline sadomasochism scene. George makes whips in his spare time, Reet models for a kinky magazine wearing controversial leather outfits. Their mate Stevie is living with them temporarily after finishing his degree – incidently, he’s also a drag queen. Getting beaten by a whip while being chained to a wall with covered eyes is their natural way to express their sexuality. But the mainstream in Australia still views this subculture with skepticism and distance. The Wire’s Hagar Cohen dropped by the Nicholls house, and talked to Stevie, George and Reet about their way of life.