The wit and charm of the late Kevin Elyot’s play has not been lost in this new production. Directed with great flair by Adam Spreadbury-Maher the action focuses on the relationship between four men and the consequences of having their friendship. Elyot’s skill as a writer was to inject suggestions and questions of what do we expect from our fellow gay men, and how do we expect them to behave? Are honour, trust and respect commodities to be treasured and to be fought for? With each of his characters Elyot gave them believable personalities especially in William, played beautifully by Elliot Hadley, whose delivery of the acerbic and cutting one-liners makes for some superb comedy moments. The play is also very sexy with the handsome Robert, played by Tom Lambert, blatantly using his power of sexual manipulation to get what he wants. Stanton Plummer-Cambridge as Greg and lover to Tony played by an excellent Lee Knight add further strength to the piece with the eloquence of their delivery of this very fine script. This is also a smart comedy of manners which emphasises the intellect shared by these four men. A masterful verbal tennis match between the four characters makes for a triumphant revival of a very insightful play into what being a gay man means.
*****
Photos by Scott Rylander
Coming Clean runs to Saturday 2nd February at Trafalgar Studios 2, 14 Whitehall, Westminster SW1A 2DY. Box office 0844 871 7632 atgtickets.com
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