Nigel Fairs wrote and stars in this one-man production so he can have no complaint about the number of times he has to take his trousers off.
But this is no bedroom farce. While weaving a sad tale of love, sex and The Milky Bar Kid, Fairs portrays three characters – Douglas, Leonard and Elaine – and makes the costume changes in front of the audience, which enhances rather than distracts from the story.
The set is a dressing room and the story concerns two actors, Leonard and Douglas, who are never lovers although each man clearly loves the other.
The Emporium is an intimate and intense space for a performer. Fairs relaxes his audiences and leads them through the 85-minute performance with considerable pathos and humour. He even persuades everyone to close their eyes while Elaine gets changed.
Elaine, who lives next door, is a most endearing character and might be from an Alan Bennett monologue.
Director Louise Jameson gives the piece a flow of movement that compliments Fairs’ vibrant and engaging performance.
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