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Kinky, Ovalhouse Theatre

Presented by 2HeadedPigeon
★★★★

Pros: So much fun! Gets you thinking about a wide range of important issues in a very entertaining way.

Cons: Not all theatrical devices worked and some parts aren’t clear in their meaning.

Our Verdict: This show is right at the top for pure enjoyment. It is a bundle of anarchic fun which puts into the open some very important issues which rarely get discussed.

Courtesy of Ovalhouse

The set for this piece resembles the state of my room throughout most of my teenage years – entire chaos. Like my room, it is a play space, a retreat, an intimate nest, a place to grow and a place to be yourself. 2headedpigeon have opened up their bedrooms and their sex lives to anyone willing to come and see the show. This is remarkably brave considering the subject matter is about the most intimate of acts where we are arguably at our most vulnerable.

The result is not an angry diatribe or an us-against-the-world defence but a giant hug and a giggle which makes you feel as though you are at a sleepover with your two best friends having a gossip and putting the world to rights. They look at a wide range of views and explore the laws, the scandal and the context in which the world places sexual desire. It also incorporates some very clever, imaginative and original theatrical devices.

There are also quite a few moments which didn’t quite work. There were some elements which weren’t explained, such as the shredding of 50 Shades of Grey, which wasn’t placed in any real context and seemed to represent personal dislike for no clear reason. I was also left questioning who this production is aimed at as I think many people will have a great time but will leave none the wiser about the subject matter. The definition/portrayal of it skirts around the issue rather than going straight for the jugular. The kinkiness happening during the show, such as spanking and mock voyeurism, weren’t explored emotionally or intellectually. This felt like a missed opportunity.

This show is an anarchic bundle of pure fun which gathers more and more momentum as it goes on. It is a very clever piece of punk theatre where you don’t care if things go wrong and neither do the performers. They build up a camaraderie with the audience which makes you feel comfortable to laugh and clap when you feel like it. It deals with serious issues in a humorous way which makes you pay attention and has some brilliant lines. It also highlights the ridiculous expectations in society, in pornography, and your attitude to yourself. I think this is a very important production partly because some of the people who talk about sex in the public sphere aren’t necessarily extolling views and practices which are entirely positive.

Please feel free to leave your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below!

Kinky runs at Ovalhouse Theatre until Saturday 2nd March 2013.
Box Office: 020 7582 7680 or book online at http://www.ovalhouse.com/whatson/booktickets/Kinky

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