Coming Clean, Trafalgar Studios - ★★★ - Until February 1, 2020


Is it possible for an open gay relationship to work? This is the central question posed in Kevin Elyot's 1982 play Coming Clean; Tony and Greg have been together for five years and don't find the answer easy. Director, Adam Spreadbury-Maher, gives us a straight-forward production of the play in Amanda Mascarenhas's realistic set. Lee Knight's Tony has great charm and some excellent scenes, particularly in the second act. His amoral friend William played by Elliot Hadley received plenty of laughs, but the performance, perhaps because of the writing, struck us as rather reminiscent of the Chuckle Brothers. To balance this, however, the other two principals struck a more realistic note. Stanton Plummer-Cambridge's beautifully spoken Greg was totally mesmeric. His stillness spoke volumes as the most subtle of all the characters. Nevertheless, it was the cuckoo in the nest, Jonah Rzeskiewicz (Robert), who shone; he was entirely believable throughout - a lovely performance. The final scene which is largely in German seemed something of an anti-climax, which was a shame. While the play is not particularly profound, there is much to appreciate and enjoy here.

Reviewed by D.S.J.

  Our Score:  ☆☆☆ 

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 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until February 1, 2020
Mon - Sat: 7:45 pm, Thu & Sat: 3 pm
Trafalgar Studios (Studio 2)
Nearest station: Charing Cross
https://trafalgar-studios.com/shows/coming-clean-2/
Map & Location: 14 Whitehall, Charing Cross, London SW1A 2DY, UK

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