I went into Sex Ed! a little wary. Although I am a big fan of the innuendo, I wondered whether such a topic had the stamina for the 75 minute running span. I needn’t have worried. With its feet firmly planted in musical theatre, Sex Ed! managed to be a witty and entertaining look at adolescent anguish and hormonal horror without outstaying its welcome.
The framework is simple. Five teachers educate their two pupils (and themselves) on everything they need to know about relationships and their sticky aftermath, as various dalliances come and go. The songs, always charming and immensely hummable, certainly rubbed the audience up the right way - the applause was fierce. I promise you’ll leave with at least one tune banging around your ears. A special note must go to the continuously pregnant Hildegard (Elizabeth Hartley) whose piano playing never wavered. Each of the actors played up to various stereotypes (the adventurous one, the tame one, etc) while never letting it descend into farce. Glenda, played by Isobel Wolff, was like Hyacinth Bucket on steroids - her simpering exterior hiding some dodgy secrets.
As for the bubbling cauldron of sexual education itself, the musical pulled no punches. Everything from masturbation to fetishes was discussed, as well as a wonderful dairy-based comparison between HIV and AIDS. If only education in schools were this forthright. I was pleased to see that homosexuality was touched upon and the overall conclusion was live and let live. What else could it possibly be in a show that was so open about everything. Only a few things stopped me from awarding 5 stars. Sometimes voices didn’t travel far enough, even only a few rows back. I’m sure the sperm/egg song had some terrifically witty lyrics, I just didn’t get to hear them. Also some jokes were tired – while hating on Justin Bieber is flavour of the day, I don’t see the point. But for fans of good tunes and laughs, Sex Ed! has much to recommend. In full flow, the ideas come so thick and fast there is rare pause for breath. Certainly a show that you’d call the morning after.
