It’s not like every day
that you get a production that hones in on the mysteries of an orgy party. In
society, it’s (not really!) a taboo, so here’s a bit of an insight into how
unsexy, disorganised, confusing and stressful it is to pull off. Yet somehow a
torn couple, Katherine (Elizabeth Lloyd Raynes) and Matt (Donncha Kearney), figure
that it’s the only way they can salvage their dying relationship – by getting
it on with other people (at the same time!), - though it ends up being a bit of
a disaster with too much wine and silly innuendoes that all go tits up.
Swing by Around 8 is a
short new play that made an impact at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, and Ghost Light
Theatre Group has taken the work, written by Jessica Bray, and brought it to
London. Directed by designer and educator David Gasperetti, Swing by around 8
is showing at the pocket sized pub theatre of Bread and Roses theatre. There’s
music by the late David Bowie, playing in the background, accompanied by a dinner
table and an open-legged chicken with some chocolate mousse and one less plate
of beige food.
Amelia, the well-spoken
lady who can’t handle her drink, (Laura Mckee) brings along her philanderer partner
Elliott (Jonathan McGarrity), the nurse. Dinner seems to be going so well until
one of them feels uncomfortable and their other half begins to enjoy the sexual
flirtation a little too much. Then, a host of domestic problems and tetchy
issues hit the fan.
Raynes is a tour de force
with her performance as the control freak and over-paranoid girlfriend, while
Kearney, and his cute Irish accent, give a smooth performance as the insecure
boyfriend on the tipping point of throwing in the towel on his relationship
with Katherine. Mckee and McGarrity are also a talented duo as
professional swingers in Bray’s intriguing work. But it’s just a shame that it ends so soon. Although Sam Blake has a small
role in the piece as the policeman, you’re pretty convinced he could have been
in on the foreplay as well.
It’s easy to get drawn
into these character’s little worlds. As the play goes on you get a deeper
understanding of them, though it would have been enlightening to have understood why both couples had relationship problems and what they
were about. Yet seriousness aside, this play is warm and funny, and had me chuckling
throughout. There’s a lot of material for a sequel. Hint, Hint!
Gasperetti has brought
together a convincing cast of new performers and dealt with an interesting
issue that many are curious about. It’s a poignant piece especially during a
time when online dating and sexual experimentation is on a high.
Only showing until the 6th Feb. Click here for more information.
Check them out on social media: Facebook: GhostLightTheatreGroup
Twitter: @GhostLightTG
Nearest station: Clapham North tube
Nearest station: Clapham North tube
— Mary Grace Nguyen (@MaryGNguyen) February 3, 2016
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