Ryan Ahern
Sex With a Stranger revels in awkwardness. This new play by Stefan Golaszewski, the creator of BBC3’s Him and Her, is comedic yet heart-wrenching.
Adam (Russell Tovey) has left his girlfriend Ruth (Naomi Sheldon) at home to celebrate a friend’s birthday. That evening he picks up Grace (Jaime Winstone) and ends up getting the night bus back to hers. Told in a rather backwards/non-linear fashion, this story is sure to keep you wondering where it is going next.
There is a confidence with the language of the script and characters that immediately puts the audience at ease. Tovey shows great ability to vary the character of Adam throughout the play, and displays strong comic timing. Winstone creates the role of Grace effortlessly. However, the surprise performance of the evening was Naomi Sheldon. Although appearing less relaxed in her first scene, she very quickly took control of the audience and makes the character’s stinging pain ring very true.
Phillip Breen’s direction is beautifully suited to this realistic piece and is executed with the use of very little scenery. Breen’s simple and honest approach pushes the audience further in empathising with the already relatable characters. Andrea J Cox’s soundscapes are also an important touch and place the locations of each scene perfectly.
Golaszewski’s script utilises some very clever ideas, especially when ‘fast forwarding’ sections of scenes, and finds truthful comedy in the general awkwardness that people subject themselves to in different social situations. With moments of pure voyeurism (such as when Ruth irons Adam’s shirt or when Grace is getting ready) the world of the characters is very much brought to life by Golaszewski’s ability to understand people.
A strong piece from a young writer and a brilliant team, Sex With a Stranger shocks, makes you laugh, makes you hurt, but most of all it makes you feel and resonate with at least one character (if not all three). Golasvewski’s gift is not only in his ability to understand people but to portray them so easily as well.
Sex With A Stranger is playing at the Trafalgar Studios until the 25 February. For more information and tickets, see the Trafalgar Studios website.