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Unprotected Sex

Despite the catchpenny and inappropriate title, Patrick Jones' latest play at the Sherman Studio Theatre again forcefully demonstrates his ability to write abrasive dialogue and set up highly dramatic and socially aware confrontations.

A traumatised Welsh soldier on leave from Kosovo, his disillusioned wife and a mysterious young man from his past, meet headlong in an emotional cauldron where violence threatens to erupt at every turn.

To reveal the twists and shifting perspectives of the light storyline would be unfair, for none of the disparate elements are quite as they appear.  It is enough to say that they build inexorably to a climax that is as powerful as it is moving.

Director Phil Clark, who guided Jones' previous play Everything Must Go to sell-out success (beginning a national tour next year), is again in charge.

Under his hand the action never flags, the sheer torrent of words proves irresistible.  The mood changes only for the poetic, almost surreal interludes involving the strange Denver (Oliver Ryan).  As the husband and wife, Gary and Triste, Richard Harrington and Maria Pride battle through the age-old war of the sexes, endlessly baiting each other to breaking point.

The ceaseless stream of strong language and sex chat (which can be tedious to some) clearly appealed to the youthful audience.

The excellent setting by Jane Linz Roberts, reminiscent of an army assault course, the music, composed by Manic Street Preacher James Dean Bradfield, even the eardrum-shattering sounds of war, all contribute to this remarkable 75-minute staging.  As with Everything Must Go, Unprotected Sex merits wider showing.

JON HOLLIDAY