Sex/Crime, Soho Theatre - ★★★ - Until February 1, 2020


A man goes to a sexual services provider to act out a murder, or does he really wish to be murdered? Is this play about the relationship between a rather specialised sex worker and his masochistic client? Or is the sex worker actually the murderer whom the client fantasises about? There are lots of questions here and a great deal of humour. The acting is as exaggerated as the plot which parodies the public obsession with serial criminals and amusingly illustrates how that obsession can be turned into a business. Do health and safety standards apply in this line of work? For us, it didn't all quite work – perhaps, because we couldn't avoid reflecting on the sad reality that some people don't know the difference between consensual sexual power play and the abuse of vulnerable people who lack a sense of self-worth. Nevertheless, much of the audience seemed to find a lot of humour here and the comedy was painted in very broad strokes. Jonny Woo and Alexis Gregory both caught the tone of this performance piece and sustained it well. While it took some adjusting to get used to the stylised presentation of their characters, they ultimately succeeded in taking us into the world they created and making us accept 'A' and 'B' on the terms in which they were presented. However, the final plot twists, which were certainly clever, then took us out of the exaggerated, satirical and theatrical experience that had been constructed. Suddenly, we seemed to be in the more conventional genre of a cunningly plotted, realistic murder mystery. In a challenging night that raises lots of questions about the cult of celebrity surrounding serial killers and the complexity of human sexuality, Sex/Crime offers an interesting package of dark humour, intellectual engagement and intrigue.

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Matt Spike.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆ 

Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until February 1, 2020
Tue - Sat: 7:15 pm, Sat: 2:45 pm
Soho Theatre
Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road
https://sohotheatre.com/shows/sex-crime/

Most Popular

King of Pangea ★★ King's Head Theatre | Jun 7 - Jul 6, 2025

Intimate Apparel ★★★★★ Donmar Warehouse | Jun 20 - Aug 9, 2025

St. Martin in-the-fields: Lunchtime Concerts ★★★★ FREE

Stereophonic ★★★★ Duke of York's Theatre | May 24 - Oct 11, 2025

Edward Burra - Ithell Colquhoun ★★★★ Tate Britain | Jun 13 - Oct 19, 2025

The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs ★★★ Kiln Theatre | Jun 13 - Jul 12, 2025

Showmanism ★★★ Hampstead Theatre | Jun 18 - Jul 12, 2025

Head First Acrobats – GODZ ★★★ Sadler's Wells Peacock Theatre | June 11 - 14, 2025

Evita ★★★★ The London Palladium | Until September 6, 2025

Summer Exhibition 2025 ★★★★ Royal Academy of Arts | Jun 17 - Aug 17, 2025

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings