UK Theatre Network

This play was inspired by Tennessee Williams’s short story Desire and the Black Masseur, adapted by Matt Harris and transformed into a work of overlapping images, a non-linear story of opposites. Harris calls his play “magic realism”.

The story begins in a typical office – desks, papers, everything held in dull colours except for the gaudy red curtains. A man is asleep at his desk: Ashley Hicks is wasting away as a clerk in a statistics company spending his spare time alone in art house cinemas. Ashley suffers from narcolepsy, drifting in and out of his dreams and fantasies and taking the audience with him. It is sometimes hard to know whether we are watching Ashley’s fantasy or his reality. Ashley suffers from guilt and anxiety because he suppresses his true sexuality. After rejecting his female boss’s advances Ashley embarks on a journey of self-discovery with Lloyd, his black childhood friend and the focus of his desire. It is only in his dreams that Ashley dares to reveal his true self.

Skillfully directed by Vernon Douglas and perfectly cast the production tackles religious and racial issues as well as themes of sexual jealousy and obsession. It is an intense drama with moments of absurdity as in an imagined interrogation scene that takes place in a universe where films made before 2020 are banned and the political correctness idea has moved far beyond any kind of reason. Ashley finds himself evaluated and interrogated by his bosses Trevor and Maggie for bullying Lloyd.

Until 27 November 2010, 7.30 pm
The Lion and Unicorn

08444 777 000

www.giantolive.com