London
LOVE ME NOW
by Michelle Barnette

4****

Tristan Bates Theatre, 1a Tower Street, London WC2H 9NP to 14 April 2018.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Thu & Sat 2.30pm.
Runs 75 mins No interval.

TICKETS: 020 3841 6600
www.tristanbatestheatre.co.uk
Review: William Russell 29 March.

Sex and the single girl

A is a cool girl who lives by her own rules, has sex with men when she wants and how she wants, no strings, no holds barred, and plays them in a sense at their own game. But having B as a regular caller is maybe not a good idea. Michelle Barnette’s three hander is a tough little play which looks at the price paid for freedom without responsibility, at what happens when suddenly more is wanted by one participant than the other wishes to give. The language is crisp, what she dislikes and he wants is set out in no uncertain terms. Inevitably a blow job turns into a blow job which scares the living daylights out of A. Meanwhile C – who might be the best bet she has had in ages – goes off the whole idea.

The result is stimulation, funny at times, frequently shocking in that it calls a spade a spade as it were, and has something worth saying about when saying lets do it turns in to not wanting to do it and all the complicated thins that happen when what is not a relationship might become one. There is a lot to talk about afterwards over supper or a drink. Well directed by Jamie Armitage with an intriguing set by Fin Redshaw Love Me Now is an impressive first play by any standards.

A: Alistair Toovey
B: Helena Wilson.
C: Gianbruno Spena

Director: Jamie Armitage.
Lighting Designer: Ben Jacobs.
Sound Designer: Andy Josephs.
Fight & Intimacy Director: Enric Ortuno.
Set & Costume Designer: Fin Redshaw.

2018-04-03 10:39:28