After seeing the original production in June I was intrigued to see how the re-staging in the much smaller space of the Waterloo East Theatre of Asher Gelman’s drama would play out – and the result, extremely well. With the intimacy of the play being totally enhanced, this time around directed by Steven Kunis who has intensified the original direction by Tom O’Brien, and made this is a very sexy three hander.
The play pulsates with an energy that totally captivates the world inhabited by the three men. Raising questions like: ‘Is there a difference between a fuck buddy and a friend?’ and ‘Do you live by pre-agreed rules and regulations?’. Afterglow is also a wonderful look at lust and the beauty of knowing your self worth and coping with the demands your partner makes when he is your husband.
Adi Chugh plays Josh who married Alex, played by Peter McPherson, and they have it all – successful lives and via surrogacy are planning to have a baby. They have an open relationship and enjoy having a third man in their bed; Darius, a trained masseur, played by Benjamin Aluwihare. But as Josh develops feelings for Darius outside of the pre-set levels of acceptance, passion and the need for love threatens to destroy his partnership with Alex.
Gelman’s script is superb, full of well tuned comedy moments and times of heartfelt and at times stoic interchanges. Special mention has to be made of McPherson who is the glue that holds this three way together.
This is a tale about modern men ‘getting it on’ and what happens when as gay men you break with tradition. Excellent stuff and totally absorbing – and a must see this season.
*****
Afterglow runs to Saturday 24th November at Waterloo East Theatre, Brad Street, London SE1 8TN. Box office: 020 7928 0060 waterloo east.co.uk
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