The Stage

The Backroom

Published Monday 16 March 2009 at 12:10 by Jonathan Lovett

A sub-dom rom-com set in a gay brothel might be a bit hard for some audience members to swallow.

Organs aplenty, a shower in near constant use, and enlightening discussions on genital warts do, at least, make this the perfectly named choice of venue for a revival of Adrian Pagan’s 1996 play.

More frothy situation comedy than a lacerating exposé of the sex trade, it focuses on six rent boys and one madam, over five Saturdays - each Saturday signposted in imaginative fashion.

In the sleazy brothel back room, Madonna (Will Stokes) and Craig (Neil Cunningham) are squealing over the latest Girls Aloud video, mature student Sandy (Miles Mlambo) is arguing with bodybuilder Dallas (Benedict Fogarty), while Paul (Michael Parr) has passed out after another heavy night on the temazepam.

Into this throbbing mess Gary (David Paisley) introduces pretty and posh Charlie (Daniel Sharman) whose public schoolboy accent soon has the punters queuing and his colleagues stewing amidst the screwing.

Peppily directed by Gareth Corke, he can’t quite cover the deficiencies in what is essentially a series of sketches masquerading as a play. A talented ensemble makes the most of their fun, but limited parts, with Will Stokes a screamy queenie, Britney-obsessed highlight.