Woodley Theatre, 27th February 2003

Patrick Marber’s Closer is possibly one of the greatest plays of our generation, and a huge round of applause goes to the amateur dramatic group at Woodley theatre for performing it. Closer takes a cynical and painfully accurate look at relationships. We laugh and cringe at the characters’ attitudes towards sex and love as we follow Anna, Alice, Dan and Larry over four and a half years through their experiences of marriage, adultery, jealousy, betrayal and revenge. There is an obituarist, a dermatologist, a stripper and a photographer - all characters involved in the body business, and this play examines the carnal and base aspects of our relationships. As the women say however, men spend their whole lives having sex and never learn how to make love.

Closer comments on both genders with observational accuracy, but the female characters are strong. Alice manipulates men with her sexuality, while Anna intimidates them with her intelligence. Alice insists that we don’t fall in love, we choose to, and there is always a moment where you make that decision. Anna realises that men love the way that women make them feel, but they don’t love us. Men love dreams. Love bores them, or at least disappoints them.

Clinical observation, a writer’s romanticism and feminine wit make this play an essential analysis of modern relationships. Bravo to the cast for confidently playing such challenging material and extending the debate about the nature of love to a new audience.

Nicola Cutcher