Leicester Square Theatre
Director: Pete Nettell
Reviewer: David Saunders
The comedy written by Matthew Todd has at its heart the relationship of Nigel and Jamie a thirty something gay couple who decide to celebrate their tenth anniversary by sharing their bed with internet date Mark. The events of the evening are used as a catalyst for all three characters to begin to analyze their own places in a world where romance and true love appear to be dead.
The set designed by David McHenry is a simple elegant modern take on the clean white living space. The design serves the piece well offering the performers a base to work from and a clear indication of the types of characters we are dealing with.
The performances within the piece are focused and 
committed this three hander has at its core the relationship between Jamie played by Paul Keating and Nigel played by Stuart Laing. Both actors allow the tender moments between the two men to come through with honesty and gentle mannered performances. The work of Stuart Laing as the life loving Nigel plays the two sides of the character with skill offering both comedy and real intensity in what is a difficult balancing act. Paul Keating as Jaime is the conscience of the piece it is a shame that only at the end of the piece does the writing allow him an opportunity to really give the audience the full range of his abilities. Finally the work of Daniel Finn must be praised in what could have been a flat one dimensional character id given depth and colour to allow the audience to see what it is really like for a younger person in today’s gay community, something that has been so badly represented by the Skins and other so called ‘youth reality’ television programming.
committed this three hander has at its core the relationship between Jamie played by Paul Keating and Nigel played by Stuart Laing. Both actors allow the tender moments between the two men to come through with honesty and gentle mannered performances. The work of Stuart Laing as the life loving Nigel plays the two sides of the character with skill offering both comedy and real intensity in what is a difficult balancing act. Paul Keating as Jaime is the conscience of the piece it is a shame that only at the end of the piece does the writing allow him an opportunity to really give the audience the full range of his abilities. Finally the work of Daniel Finn must be praised in what could have been a flat one dimensional character id given depth and colour to allow the audience to see what it is really like for a younger person in today’s gay community, something that has been so badly represented by the Skins and other so called ‘youth reality’ television programming. The direction from Pete Nettell allows the action to move swiftly from one set up to the next and at times the quick fire delivery really makes the piece fizz. The clever use of a small intimate stage allows the audience into the world of the three men this in turn offers the opportunity for even those unfamiliar with the lifestyle of gay men to identify those moments we all experience with our loved ones in a relationship.
This piece slides from heavyweight emotional content to light hearted knockabout comedy instantly which in itself is both the strength and weakness of the piece. The writing from ATTITUDE editor Matthew Todd suggests a well observed comedic voice but it is due to the uncertainty of the writing that some of the heavier moments do not quite ring true. The performances are excellent throughout but some of the words on the page are difficult to get access to the human relationships as they develop or implode. While Todd is a writer who clearly shows promise, this work feels like only the beginning of what could be an interesting new theatrical voice.
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