Where's Peen been?
Bush Theatre, London
Was Peen keen?
****
A re-sparked friendship turns into a
somewhat improbable bromance more special than most. But DC Moore’s production
directed by Richard Wilson, based on the US film Humpday written and directed by Lynn Shelton, shows us the
situation in a convincing manner and more prominently, makes us belly laugh the
whole way through.
Lewis (Henry Pettigrew) and Morgan (Jessica
Ransom) moved in to a very cosy flat that has now lost value. It’s lost value
by about £50,000 so you’d be pretty miffed, right? Actually, as a married
couple, they’re not doing that bad. They seem really in love; they’re not
scared to talk about defecating and insult each other to no end. Things change
ever so slightly, though, when long lost bestie of Lewis, Waldorf (excellent
Philip McGinley) introduces himself by sticking his private member through the
letterbox. Waldorf introduces Steph, the super chilled and feisty porn star and
from here on in we see some of the most hilarious, unexpected circumstances
perfectly mastered by Wilson and the four superb performers.
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| Photo: Robert Day |
This production doesn’t make any desperate
statement on sexuality, past its glaring title, and focuses much more heavily
on the turmoil laid upon the marriage because Lewis wants to prove he’s more
open-minded and less uptight than people think he is. It’s a ridiculous bet
that naturally, wife Morgan doesn’t respond all that well to: the loveliness
comes in the form of young love. As Morgan tries desperately to understand in
order to keep her marriage safe, it’s incredibly difficult not to buy in to the
impending hurt if she doesn’t grant her permission.
Prepare to suspend your disbelief
completely and you’re in for a massive treat; taking male bonding to an
entirely new and fantastically comic level, Straight
is a must-see production that’s arrived in full force at the Bush Theatre.
Whilst discussing the artistic examination of pornography and the boundaries of
friendship and marriage at a crossroad, it doesn’t struggle in any way to
connect with its contemporary audience. The cast and creative in their entirety
deserve endless credit and for anyone in need of a good laugh on one of these
freezing December evenings, look no further than W12.
This production runs until 22 December 2012.
For more information: http://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/production/straight/
@BushTheatre
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