“…wonderfully witty and physical production.” Robert Holtom ★★★★★

The Lover ★★★★★

Oriel, 24^th November, 4.30pm,

Review by Robert Holtom

Mundane domesticity rivalled subversive sexual goings-on in this wonderfully witty and physical production. This fantastic ensemble piece saw five actors take on various roles including a cuckolded husband, cheating wife and adventurous lover. However, each character was realised by more than one actor ensuring the action of the play was continually shifting around the auditorium, and this effect was heightened by an inspired use of stage lighting, lamps and torches. The acting was of a particularly good quality and each cast member brought out a different aspect of their character’s personality, thus we had a wife who was simultaneously a victim, seductress and bored stepford-esque housewife. A fine balance of intensity and comedy was maintained throughout the production with perhaps one of the funniest moments being when the husband, as lover, placed a clay face mask over his wife as part of some bizarre sexual fantasy. This was an impressively slick and polished performance given the time constraints and I sincerely hope it will return to the Oxford stage in the not too distant future.