IS THIS ABOUT SEX? To 13 October.

Edinburgh 2007 Fringe/Ireland.

IS THIS ABOUT SEX?
by Christian O’Reilly.

Traverse 3, University of Edinburgh Drillhall, 41 Forrest Rd.
To 26 various times (Traverse).
Runs 1hr 30min No interval.

TICKETS. 0131 228 1404 or Fringe BO 0131 226 0000.
www.rough-magic.com
Review Thelma Good 15 August 2007.

Well-observed and very funny.
In modern affluent Ireland Daniel wants to please his wife Kay, Paul his girlfriend, Cathy. But neither of them do. Paul’s found himself a lunchtime partner while Daniel’s contemplating a big change. In Christian O’Reilly’s play, performed by Ireland’s Rough Magic Theatre Company, the observation of how men and women talk about sex, or around it, is well-observed and very funny.

Daniel, a neatly detailed performance by Darragh Kelly, meets shop assistant Cathy in the lingerie department. She’s sympathetic to his request and helps him understand what it is to be a woman, and a man. Meanwhile Kay gets advice from her friend Angela about her marriage and her lunchtime affair.

Marivaux’s play the Double Inconstancy comes to mind. Via a series of scenes in bedrooms, the shop and a posh café on Paul O’Mahoney’s effective set, the consequences of these relationships are interesting. Well-acted and directed, it may lack anguished depths, but it does amusingly explore the strange difference between men and women in and out of bed when we’re apparently the same species. It also looks like a possible for commercial touring theatre and could set a lot of couples talking.

Angela : Ruth Hegarty.
Daniel : Darragh Kelly.
Paul : Rory Nolan.
Cathy : Hilary O’Shaughnessy.
Kay : Ali White.

Director: Lynne Parker.
Designer: Paul O’ Mahoney
Lighting: Sinead Wallace.
Costume: Breege Fahy .

2007-08-17 03:31:35