Review: I Promise You Sex and Violence at Newcastle Northern Stage

Let’s Be Honest 
About How We Feel

I Promise You Sex and Violence

NewcastleNorthern Stage

Until Saturday 20 September 2014.

Cast:               Keith Fleming – Bunny

                        Esther McAuley – Charlie

                        Reuben Johnson – Queue

Creatives:      David Ireland – Writer

                        Lorne Campbell – Director

                        Garance Marneur – Designer

                        David Holmes – Lighting Designer

                        John Alder – Composition and Sound Designer

Northern Stage has always been proud of its willingness to perform new work and productions which may not be comfortable for everyone. Any play which explores themes such as racism, homophobia, misogyny and sexism is always going to be difficult for some to enjoy but this could be the making of a cult hit.

Keith Fleming and Esther MacAuley Photo: Mark Savage

Under Northern Stage’s Artistic Director Lorne Campbell’s direction this production Keith Fleming’s play may be shocking to some. Scenes of what normally happens behind closed doors will not be everyone’s cup of tea. 

Keith Fleming and Reuben Johnson Photo: Mark Savage

Keith Fleming captures the complexities of Bunny well and Esther McAuley explores the nature of some modern 30 somethings as Charlie. They are complemented by Reuben Johnson’s Queue who has a challenging role playing a character who never says the right thing for 2014 sensibilities.  The sell-out crowd had moments in which they laughed at the interaction of these 3 dysfunctional characters. The ending seemed out of place with the rest which is the shame.

An eclectic production which isn’t shy at confronting the problems of a troubled state of mind.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo 

Tickets:

Strictly 18+

5-20 Sept, 8pm

Tickets: £14.50 / £12 conc.

Box Office: 0191 230 5151

or online at www.northernstage.co.uk

Post-show discussion: Thu 11 Sept

On The Web:

Website: www.northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/i-promise-you-sex-and-violence 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/northernstage

Facebook: www.facebook.com/northernstage

Preview: I Promise You Sex And Violence at Newcastle Northern Stage

Pushing the boundaries

I Promise You Sex And Violence

Newcastle Northern Stage

5-20 September

A brutally funny and frankly pretty offensive new play by David Ireland.

Hilarious, sexy and violent, I Promise You Sex and Violence is a romantic comedy about three broken people, who don’t know what they are and don’t know how to behave.

Keith Fleming and Reuben Johnson

Photo: Mark Savage

A witty, frantic and unflinching story directed by Lorne Campbell.

Keith Fleming and Esther MacAuley

Photo: Mark Savage

Fresh from heading up Northern Stage’s 2014 Edinburgh Festival programme in their new home at King’s Hall is David Ireland’s I Promise You Sex And Violence, directed by artistic director Lorne Campbell.

This comic, provocative and shocking rom-com places the emotional and sexual no-limits confusion of urban 30-somethings against a political satire of racism, sexism, homophobia, highlighting the dangers of fearing ‘the other’ which is sharply relevant in the run up to the independence vote.

Reuben Johnson

Photo: Mark Savage

Writer David Ireland is a leading voice of his generation and this is his most ambitious play to date.  Lorne Campbell says, “It’s very very funny, it’s very very offensive, and it’s actually very romantic. It’s a romantic comedy about three broken people, who don’t know what they are and don’t know how to behave. The characters’ actions are desperate and extreme, their language is racist, misogynistic and homophobic and the story follows through on the title’s promise to be both sexy and violent.  David Ireland is one of Britain’s most exciting dramatists and I think this play is his best yet. What is so exciting about his writing is that in the middle of all of this carnage, of all of this extremity, this is a thoughtful, moral and humane play. It’s about how and why we love, about the kindness, understanding and profound tolerance that are absolute necessities for any civilised society.  I Promise You Sex and Violence is a romantic comedy about a love triangle between a racist, a misogynist and a homophobe.   It has the potential to offend everyone in every possible way.  And yet my intention was not to offend.  So how have I ended up writing such a play?   I'm not sure myself.  But I grew up in Belfast in the 70s and 80s so violence, political extremism, tribalism, intolerance and sexual repression are themes that I've always found compelling.  And I love When Harry Met Sally as much as I love The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.  And I always thought the Derek and Clive albums were much funnier than anything Peter Cook and Dudley Moore ever did on TV. So maybe this is why the play is what it is.  Whatever happens, the response will be interesting."

Cast are:

Reuben Johnson

Photo: Mark Savage

Reuben Johnson

Esther McAuley

Keith Fleming

Tickets:

Strictly 18+

5-20 Sept, 8pm

Tickets: £14.50 / £12 conc.

Box Office: 0191 230 5151

or online at www.northernstage.co.uk

Post-show discussion: Thu 11 Sept

Special Offer on first night: 3+First Night: Buy 3 or more tickets for Fri 5 Sept and get 50% off (excluding concessions tickets).

Special Offer: MULTIBUY: You could save yourself a packet.

Booking to see more than one show dramatically reduces the cost of your tickets.  Sit in top-price seats without needing to shell out top-price cash. All you need to do is book your shows in one transaction. - See more at: http://www.northernstage.co.uk/northern-stage/the-theatre/multibuy#sthash.Z0Xkk2tk.dpuf

On The Web:

Website: www.northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/i-promise-you-sex-and-violence

Twitter: https://twitter.com/northernstage

Facebook: www.facebook.com/northernstage