Sex With Strangers

Provocative title? Yes. There are sex scenes aplenty but if you’re expecting rough, all-bare, no-holds-barred explicit action, you’ll be disappointed. But you will be drawn in.

It is delightfully simple: two (beautiful) people, two acts, two similar but different sets and a standard romance plot (too stylish and clever to rate a red flower on the programme). You’ll love it!

As I understand its genesis: young heart-throb of local professional theatres, Thomas Larkin and experienced actor-director, Matilda- awarded Jennifer  Flowers, met recently at a drama workshop in Sydney where American acting teacher Larry Moss encouraged professionals out of work to be proactive. Coincidentally, designer Troy Armstrong (conveniently employed by Brisbane Powerhouse) knew of this wonderful play to which he introduced them and to the perfect venue, Visy Theatre within the Powerhouse complex. He also designed this show eventually.

Flowers and Larkin worked with Veronica Neave in QTC’s Romeo and Juliet  (2012). She was also ‘resting’. Yes, she’d love to play the ‘older woman’ in this Cougar-situational remancde. Everything fell together.

Hence, the protagonists meet by chance, Ethan, spending a lot of time on ‘meet’ websites and writing about his exploits on a blog; and the older woman, Olivia, writer with a book almost ready for publishing. How their lives coalesce is the essence of the first act where your fantasies or memories engage, and the rest is reality!Experience it.

Jay McKee