‘the ensemble cast works beautifully together, delivering perfect comic timing, warmth and passion’
The Sex Party has been reworked by writer and director Terry Johnson, the Olivier and Tony Award winner and brought back to the forefront with support from assistant director Cara Barton and producer Shaun Chambers.
The audience are immersed in a secretive, desirable and awkward world as they observe the goings on of a sex party from the kitchen, meaning, the audience is able to use their own imagination to fill in the blanks and the partnerships which take place in the rooms beyond the kitchen door.
The Sex Party, despite its title, focuses on the relationships between the characters we meet on stage and delves into journeys of self-discovery, jealousy, desire, fear, comedy and excitement. The characters are individual and unique, and each bring something to the ‘party’.
Firstly, you have the host, Alex (Jamie Ballard) indecisive, eager to please and unsure, he really knows how to throw a party to be remembered. Alex is coupled with the more adventurous and flirty Hattie (Pearl Schomberg) desperate for acceptance and happy to be included in all the fun. Joining them is newbie couple Gilly (Lisa Gorgin) and Jake (James Lavender) who navigate their marital life with their newfound curiosity of this new world of openness with some surprising outcomes. Strolling into the party oozing with confidence are the bold and ‘bravacious’ Jeff (Jack Loy), he tells it like it is, he isn’t afraid to tackle the harder subjects, and he is a dominant force within the room. By his side is wife Magdalena (Suzi Bloom) who is brash and loud but hiding a deeper, sweeter and softer side. Internally she struggles with Jeff which you see unravel during the night. To complete the couples, we have Camilla (Zoe Teverson) fast talking, opinionated and bold and Tim (Jamie Treacher) meek, unpredictable and immature at times, he provides the comedy relief within this production. Finally, to add to the mix is Lucy (Jackie Green) who really gives the group something to talk about and brings modern day issues to the forefront.
Each character has their own unique style, and this was evident through their costumes, they reflected each character’s personality perfectly. You could tell with how each character entered the stage and what they were wearing, what type of presence they would be at the party.
The show is enjoyable, interesting and thought provoking. It’s able to sink it’s teeth into more raw, emotional moments without lingering in them too long. Rather than offering easy answers, the play invites its audience to think and place themselves in the position of some of the characters on stage, making for a thoroughly engaging evening of theatre.
Although this is a comedy, yes there were moments of laughter usually provided by Treacher’s Tim but overall, it’s more of a drama which has many witty and sharp lines, but the emotional journeys of the characters take the limelight.
The ensemble cast work beautifully together, delivering perfect comic timing, warmth and passion. Each character is vividly realised, bringing their own quirks, vulnerabilities and contradictions to the gathering. They unpack their individual identities and explore the relationships with grit. The chemistry between the company ensures that even the most chaotic moments feel authentic. Their sheer talent and passion oozes from the stage which takes the audience on a rollercoaster and keeps them thoroughly engaged. The performers were nothing short of excellent.
The staging is deceptively simple yet highly effective, making excellent use of the confined kitchen setting to create an atmosphere that is simultaneously domestic and deliciously voyeuristic. The audience is able to have enough insight to keep them guessing what’s happening just beyond the kitchen.
Sound was used cleverly to depict the goings on next door and lighting was changed throughout the scenes to reflect the mood of the moment, romantically lit, bright and bold and dark and secretive.
A clever, sophisticated play that uses humour to explore the messiness of modern relationships and the often-absurd complexities of human behaviour. An intelligent but fun exploration, in a witty, daring and intriguing evening that proves the most compelling drama often happens behind closed doors.
The Sex Party plays at The Hope Street Theatre through to 11th September with tickets available via https://hopestreettheatre.com/
Review Date: 3rd September 2026
Star Rating: FOUR