In the heart of London, at the Omnibus theatre, Louis Emmitt-Stern's Tony Craze award-winning play Slippery delivers a quick-witted and poignant dissection of bereavement and the complexities of the queer dating scene. This compelling production reunites two former hedonists, forcing them to confront their past and present in a night of raw emotion and revelation.
A Tumultuous Reunion After a Decade Apart
History is meant to stay in the past, but in Slippery, it crashes violently into the present. Ten years ago, Jude, portrayed by John McCrea, and Kyle, played by Perry Williams, were a couple immersed in a hedonistic lifestyle, partying late into the night with a mix of drinks and drugs. Their relationship ended abruptly when Kyle vanished without a trace. Now, they find themselves unexpectedly reunited in Jude's luxurious Canary Wharf penthouse in the dead of night.
This reunion occurs after Jude suffers a nasty fall, and Kyle is called to the hospital as his emergency contact. The years have seen their lives diverge sharply: Kyle has abandoned the party scene, while Jude is grappling with the early stages of grief following the death of his partner, Sam. Both characters are desperately trying to maintain facades, but as they engage in conversation, cook spaghetti carbonara, and catch up on lost time, their carefully constructed lies begin to unravel.
Masterful Performances and Charged Atmosphere
John McCrea and Perry Williams deliver beat-perfect performances as these ex-lovers, acutely aware of each other's flaws and vulnerabilities yet still eager to impress. Lust and longing permeate the air between them, heavy with the weight of what might have been. McCrea's Jude is a dynamic character, shifting seamlessly from grief-stricken to a magnetic and masterful seducer. Williams' Kyle appears calm and collected on the surface, but underneath, he is frantically trying to keep his life on track.
McCrea, in particular, showcases a remarkable range as a performer, one moment dancing out his anger and the next sitting small and wet-eyed with emotion. The chemistry between the two actors fuels the production, making their interactions both tense and captivating.
Staging and Direction That Enhance the Drama
The set design by Hannah Schmidt features Jude's flat, which boasts all the style of a luxury suite. However, with its vast windows that mirror the night's darkness, it feels more like a cage, symbolizing the characters' trapped emotions. Director Matthew Iliffe skillfully finds the natural pulse in Emmitt-Stern's dialogue, crafting a production driven by the intimacy of a love that is past but not forgotten.
Iliffe's direction ensures that every moment is charged with tension, allowing the audience to feel the unresolved history between Jude and Kyle. The use of space and lighting further amplifies the play's themes of confinement and longing.
Critique and Compelling Themes
While the script is well-written, its constant revelations and structure of shocks can sometimes wring it of a sense of realism, feeling unnecessary in an otherwise sharp narrative. Despite this, Slippery remains a knotty and insightful dissection of the queer dating scene and bereavement in its many forms. It explores how grief can shape relationships and how past loves can resurface with unexpected force.
Watching two exes hash out their unresolved issues is always compelling, and Slippery leverages this dynamic to great effect. The play invites audiences to reflect on themes of loss, identity, and the enduring impact of past relationships.
At the Omnibus theatre in London, Slippery runs until April 11, offering a thought-provoking experience for theatre-goers interested in contemporary drama and queer narratives. This production not only entertains but also challenges viewers to consider the complexities of human connection and the ways we navigate love and loss.
