The Chemsex Monologues ☆☆☆
The Chemsex Monologues tells the story of four characters as they navigate their way around the vibrant but drug-fuelled post club chill out party scene in London.
The Narrator is handsome but adrift (played with quiet strength by Kane Surry) and meets the buff and topless Nameless (a mesmerizingly neurotic Denholm Spurr) handing out flyers in Soho. Their journey through London, its club scene, and their short-lived romantic encounter ask the question if drugs help or hinder relationships. There is a sex for drugs arrangement at Old Mother Meths party flat that is a truly eye-opening scene and whilst not judgemental it does reveal the acute dilemmas the characters face.
We next meet Fag Hag Cath (Remy Moynes). She takes an Instagram selfie that belies how alienated she feels but does so “to make the haters jealous”. Finally, we meet Daniel the sexual health worker (played with joyous camp by Matthew Hodson) and who brings some much welcome comic relief. His adventures and observations at his first ChemSex orgy are as fresh and funny as Alan Bennett.
A series of monologues may not ordinarily appeal but where this piece really takes off is the fascinating intertwining of their stories in both space and time. We will hear about the terrible incident (the overdose of a person on the drug ‘G’) from multiple viewpoints and the themes and issues this play addresses continue to be threaded, layered and woven in a way that is hugely satisfying.
There is no set to speak of (worse – an old sheet has been thrown over the remnants of the last play in the venue) and the lighting is workshop standard but no matter as the profound writing (by Patrick Cash), the acting, and snappy, clear directing (by Luke Davies) more than compensates for this.
There are other plays with similar themes but the way the Chemsex Monologues is structured lends itself to the subject and we can see more clearly the characters motivations whilst highlighting their isolation and vulnerabilities. Along the way, there are some truly generous acts of kindness between the characters and this sustains us through what might otherwise be a very bleak proposition.
Written by Patrick Cash
Directed by Luke Davies
Produced by Dragonflies Theatre
1 – 4, 11, 17, 18 July (Studio Theatre)
REVIEW: JONNY WARD
Jonny Ward, Queerguru London Correspondent is a drama graduate but has worked backstage for many years at venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, The 02, Southbank Centre and is currently at The National Theatre. He lives in Hoxton, London and is delighted to check out the latest, the hottest and the downright dodgy in queer culture for Queerguru. (P.S. He is currently single)
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