Does practising SEX make Perfect?
“I don’t know how to strangle you during sex, can you teach me?”
Theodore to ChiChi

The entrance door is closed. Suddenly, it opens. A man and a woman enter, locked in an intense, sexualised kiss. They are both eager for sex. The stage is set simply: a flat with a double bed (unmade), a bedside table with a Lego-like toy on it, and a chair. Nothing more.
The ritual of pre-intercourse cleaning begins—tidying the room and themselves. When the woman returns from the bathroom, she catches the man masturbating in preparation. He denies it.
We are in New York. The man, Theodore (Chandler Stephenson), has brought the woman, ChiChi (Miray Beşli), back to his apartment for a one-night stand. Their first attempt is clumsy and disappointing. She, a striking foreign beauty, is the dominant one who enjoys being strangled. He, by contrast, can only be described as “vanilla” in his performance.

Afterwards, in the small talk that follows, little is revealed. She is a free spirit who wants to leave and see friends. He, however, is eager to redeem himself and improve his performance. They try again. Clever direction places them on opposite sides of the stage, each acting separately while facing the audience. The sex improves, and the desire to part weakens. They begin to share their fantasies—hers involving bondage, his hidden beneath restraint until he finally reveals his darker desires.
The actors are from NYC Team, and the production is planned to tour across America starting in October.
This is a well-executed two-hander play directed by Jee Duman. It carries the audience along, blending moments of awkwardness with humour. At just an hour long, it offers engaging entertainment and is certainly worth considering.


Production Notes
HARDLove
Written by Anıl Can Beydilli
Adapted by Esin İleri and Miray Beşli
Directed by Jee Duman
Cast
Starring:
Miray Beşli
Chandler Stephenson
Creatives
Director: Jee Duman
Producers:
Aylin Çobanoğlu and Ayça Demirağ
Rue De Pera Films and Sonder Project
Information
Running Time: 60 minutes
Booking to 16th August 2025 at 8.45pm
Theatre:
Lime Studio
Greenside @ George Street
22-24 George St
Edinburgh EH2 2PQ
Box Office: 01635 46044
Reviewed by Malcolm Beckett
at Lime Studio,
Greenside@George Street
on !3th August at 8.45pm