When soon-to-be-married Paul and Jenny enter into a sexual encounter with best-friend Rob (following a few too many beverages), there are inevitable repercussions. 3some, at Camden's popular Etcetera theatre, is certainly climactic and the audience leave feeling satisfied (pardon the expression), which is more than can be said for the play’s characters. You might have guessed that 3some is about sex with its non-too illusive name, provocative publicity and 16+ rating, but far from the kinky, explicit romp that you might expect (or hope for), Lisa Gifford’s play boldly explores the darker, muddier realm of sexual politics.
Rob, Paul and Jenny, three supposedly solid friends, dangerously and naively enter into an all too revealing game of ‘I have never.’ Inevitably, cracks in the relationships begin to show (if they weren’t obvious already) and long-kept secrets flood out in a lucid river of drunkenness.
Capital City Entertainment's "risqué comedy-drama" has been expanded and re-drafted since its successful run at the Camden Fringe in 2012; however, the play feels, at times, too long. Some scenes are simply over-written and conversations laboured. The finest and most powerful moment is one, conversely, without many words at all. The agonising, post-coital awkwardness between Rob and Paul is accurately depicted as the pair endure long silences, acknowledging only their crippling hangovers and a desire for coffee. The kettle boils along with Paul’s rage and the captivating lack of conversation speaks volumes.
The overall effectiveness of the piece might be enhanced if the balance between the fun and the dramatic were a little less skewed towards the latter; it is the light moments that are the most accessible. Unfortunately, whilst there are some chuckle-inducing exchanges, many comedic opportunities are wasted. Having said that, the plot makes interesting shifts and the characters (if initially predictable) are well written and fully realised. This is particularly true in the case of Paul, played effortlessly by Peter Halpin. Utterly convincing, Halpin intuitively communicates his character’s identity struggles with great skill. It is credit to both the writing and the performance that we empathise with Paul throughout.
Only one week remains to catch the play but, interestingly and deservingly, this 3some has legs, so to speak: A web series continuing the plot one year down the line is currently in post-production. It is intriguing, to say the least, to see in what direction Gifford will take the story.
Short of some refinement and a polish, this unique, insightful and entertaining production is absolutely worth a look.
