Pornography, we are educationally informed in this piece, means the writing of harlots. Its a subject that divides opinion sharply, and the proliferation and availability of it does make one wonder about the priorities of the human race. Those who spend their time counting such things reliably inform us that more than half of the millions of websites out there are porn-centred.Which is what makes this play so interesting. The premise is excellent. Two writers in different centuries struggle with writers block. One is Brett (Alistair Frearson), a reasonably successful dramatist who has written just one-too-many salacious, sex-filled scripts or screenplays. As he struggles late into the night he begins to have a conversation across the decades with another writer.That writer is Jane Austen, celebrated 18th/19th century novelist, played here by a man, Nathan Butler. Jane is also struggling to write a next novel, and as the two scribes work things out they realise their problems are at opposite ends of the spectrum he doesnt understand love, and she knows nothing of sex. When you come to think of it, Austens work is all about the foreplay, never the main event. Indeed, in her books marriage is nearly always the main event.Each helps the other try to discover more of what they are missing. Brett begins writing a script about two actors, one considerably older than the other. As he writes the two other actors in the troupe, Adam Ford and Matt Moran act out the various scenarios to touching and uplifting finale. Jane, too, attempts to change her style, and in one memorable monologue Butler builds 'herself' into such a sexual frenzy that Jane ends up blurting out I bet you want to taste my shit. Whatever would Mr Darcy say?This show is at its best when not taking itself so seriously. It has some great one -liners (are you wanking too often when only air comes out) and the basic conceit is fascinating. It also has very interesting things to say about gay relationships and their dependence on sex rather then emotion to survive. The courtship Brett chooses to bring to life is that between an older and younger man, so the focus is inevitably turned onto the intellectual and romantic side of things. For me there were a few too many twists and turns but their realisation that they are deeply in love in spite of everything was very moving. Our modern day writer has thus resolved his issues both professional and personal.Jane fares less well. In the last, overlong sequence, she and Brett have a blazing row in which he blurts out that she will never finish the new, sexier novel because she is about to die. Its a dramatic moment, but it did start to make me wonder for the first time about the device what reality were we in, was he really communicating with her, was she dreaming him or he dreaming her .. confusing. Brett does tell her the compensation for the sexless, loveless life she has mostly led will be the immortality her novels (and there were only six) will give her. An interesting choice would you rather be famous for all time, admired and revered after you are dead, or enjoy your time on earth to the max?Im off clubbing.
