Smoke is the latest play by London-based actor-playwright Alexis Gregory (Riot Act). Directed by Campbell X (Stud Life, Low Rider), Smoke is a brutal monologue that observes the psychotic downward spiral that can occur when recreational drug use and mental health get out of hand.

Forty-four year old Alex (Gregory) wakes up one morning to a message from his boyfriend Ben. Ben, however, died two years ago. Alex is not in the best place mentally and Ben´s message sets off a chain of reactions and events that get increasingly fraught and chaotic.

Smoke is based on Gregory’s observations of various behaviours on London´s queer scene. Londoners have a long history of hedonism and drug use. This is often coupled with both the loneliness and competitiveness of a large city, peer groups that often encourage wild behaviour, and the possibly larger percentage of people in a city with mental health issues. It means that many people in London, in particular those gay men who are vulnerable, can fall through any societal safely net and can end up with serious drug habits, and a myriad of physical and mental health issues, including suicidal tendencies.

Smoke seeks to shine a light into this dark corner, and in conjunction with this week´s performances and the forthcoming national tour, there are post-show panel discussions with the You Are Loved community panel (youareloved.org.uk), an excellent UK non-profit dedicated to suicide and drug misuse prevention.

Tuesday night’s panel included Tim Spoor, the co-founder of Queerwell, (https://www.queerwell.org.uk/) Connor Minney, the founder of GAYNS, (@getgayns), Owain Evans, the founder of Big Gay Out (@biggaysoutuk) and Samuel Douek of Howl. (@howlworldwide) The theme was Community.

Other themes to be covered this week include Self-Worth and Aging, The Role of Shame, Connection v Loneliness. More details here. https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/smoke-yal/ The info re the Smoke´s UK national tour dates is here. https://linktr.ee/AlexisGregory

Gregory is always a brave performer, and the fast-paced Smoke is no different. He’s on stage alone, without a break, and lit by bright, very harsh lighting on a minimal, empty black set to deliver his message. The audience is also brightly lit, and Gregory is at times right in with the audience, so there is nowhere for anyone to hide. We all, therefore, are collectively presented with the play´s themes which cover how we deal with the past, chemsex, community, mental health, grief, masculinity and loneliness. It´s a tense, unpredictable show, and we’re not sure if we´re experiencing reality or fiction. Tough maybe, although there are pockets of wry humour. I think it takes this to begin a conversation many shy away from.

There are, of course, a myriad of reasons for suicide and drug misuse – it’s a huge subject to explore. Smoke is, however, a strong step in the right direction, and the collaboration with You Are Loved is special. 

PS You may also like to check out the interview Alexis Gregory gave to QUEERGURU prior to starting the tour . You can catch it HERE