Lips Together Teeth Apart

Only Terrence McNally would write a play that shows the instability of straight relationships compared to gay ones – with no gay characters.

Instead, all the gay characters are offstage. Sally (Tracey Walker) and her husband, Sam (Steve Parker) have inherited a beach house in a gay ghetto from her brother, who died of AIDS-related illnesses.

The couple have invited Sam’s sister, Chloe (Nicole Rutty) and her husband John (Peter Davies) to join them for the New Year’s Eve weekend.

Things go from awkward to worse, as John has been poking Sally, and Sam and Chloe know it. From there, layer on layer of conflict is unfurled and explored.

In across-the-board-excellent performances, Nicole Rutty stands out as hyperactive Chloe. Chloe never lets up, isn’t well-liked, even by her husband, and Rutty plays her with a consistently ruthless level of intensity.

Since Mixed Salad started their theatre career with Love! Valour! Compassion!, they have been growing more confident in each production.

The ever-present Dave Simms, here directing rather than acting, has his cast delivering performances that have you loving them in some moments and hating them in others. This is Mixed Salad’s best.

Simply put, this is a mature and accomplished production that sets a new standard for Mixed Salad to reach in future shows.

Daniel G Taylor

Photographer: David Wilson.

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