Jade Anouka as F also knows what she wants but is altogether nicer. She’s clever – pointing out her attraction. “Respect, perhaps that is what he went looking for?” to M about John. All the performances convince thoroughly. As I write I have the Rolling Stones’ number “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” going through my head, the anthem of the disappointed. All I can be sure of is that ambivalence does a lot of damage not just as the recipient of it like M and W but to an ambivalent like John.
Instead of a wooden cockpit, Merle Hensel’s circular set is like stainless steel with a curved bench and turnntable floor. There are faded reflections of those onstage. Paule Constable’s imaginative lighting changes scenes and moods with loud music from Femi Temowo. This year’s lighting vogue seems to be strip lighting in different colours and hanging at different angles and in different numbers.
There are two lyrical dance sex scenes, John and M and then John and F. Beautiful and parallel. John stands at the end, hands in his pockets, arms straight down, transfixed by the inability to decide. I wonder whether we shall see the companion piece Bull?
Mike Bartlett will have three plays on simultaneously in London, Cock, The 47th at the Old Vic and at the Lyric Hammersmith, Scandaltown.
Five star drama.