Was I observing modern day relationship counselling? Or was I a witness to verbal pornography?

Along with every other member of the audience that packed into The Union Theatre on Thursday evening I was laughing out loud to comic delivery that was timed to perfection by a faultless cast in Jamie Patterson’s debut play ‘Threesome’

Sam (Chris Willoughby) and Kate (Gemma Rook) are in a lust-less relationship, Kate has never experienced an orgasm and is far from adventurous in her physical relationship with Sam, the only person she has ever had an intimate relationship with.

So the obvious thing to do is go to a club and pick someone up for a threesome. Who wouldn’t do just that? It is the stunningly attractive Lucy (April Pearson) that catches their eye, but did they choose wisely? Lucy was sexually liberated, had no inhibitions, at the age of twenty five had already had sex with approximately a thousand people and likened a man’s sexual organ to a bar of chocolate. Her personality could not possibly be further removed from that of the frigid Kate. With Sam being a bit on the geeky side, the stage was set for a stream of comical one liners. Lucy took the hapless couple back to her flat and spent the entire time trying to get them to loosen up and go ahead with the threesome they had suggested. The language she used was colourful, not the kind

you would use in the presence of your grandmother. So if swearing offends you then ‘Threesome’ is not for you. I don’t want to give away too much about what follows as I recommend you see the play for yourself. I do feel that with a running time of 55 minutes that there is room to add to this bawdy romp, I was disappointed with the ending, I felt it could have had more punch to it, though that did not spoil the overall enjoyment of the show.

It was good to see the space so well attended, I believe that theatre is for everyone and it was refreshing to see a wide age group in the audience.

You have a winner here Jamie Patterson, build on it.

Review by Johnny Tait

After sell-out success at Brighton and Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015, THREESOME transfers to The Union Theatre London from 3rd to 14th May 2016.

In an attempt to spice up their relationship Sam and Kate meet Lucy. Young, attractive and with unconventional ideas about life and sex, she convinces them that having a threesome will put them back on track. The play follows the trio as they negotiate the unorthodox protocol of what happens next. As the title suggests, this hilarious comedy is just for adults!

Threesome is a debut play by Brighton-based Laboratory Theatre Company. Written by award-winning filmmaker Jamie Patterson, whose credits include, City of Dreamers, Daisy, Home for Christmas and Fractured.

Starring stand-up comedian and actor Chris Willoughby, Gemma Rook and from E4’s Skins, April Pearson.

The Union Theatre
3rd-14th May 2016
7:30 pm/3:00pm matinee
Box Office: 020 7261 9876
www.laboratorytc.com