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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Bruce Dessau's rating
Reader rating
Comic cool: Reginald D Hunter's delivery is nimbler and better than ever
Sometimes it feels as if serial controversialist Reginald D Hunter spends more time thinking up titles than writing his shows. After last year's liberal-baiting Pride & Prejudice & Niggas, he was going to call this year's monologue Coonraker, before switching to F**k You In The Age Of Consequence, a Hunteresque twist on a Churchill statement.
The result has its breathtaking moments, but there are some strangely meandering passages, too.
Hunter's latest beef is with the way people refuse to deal with the effects of their behaviour, from politicians down. Or up, depending on your opinion of politicians. Our guide, however, is a man prepared to accept the consequences of his actions, even if that means not attracting audiences on tour because his inflammatory titles alienate sensitive fans.
As ever this cool, charismatic American is mesmerising. The delivery is nimbler and better than ever, but his argument lacks direction, taking in everything from the absence of authenticity in EastEnders to canine incest to the pointless remake of King Kong, along the way recalling a court case in which he believes he had a raw deal. Sideswipes at Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson and Brokeback Mountain hardly feel cutting edge.
It is only towards the conclusion that Hunter hits a groove, discussing his fondness for "F**k you" films without neat, Disneyfied endings. He does little more than unfold the plot of an obscure Japanese movie, but keeps the audience hanging on his every word. While this climax is not remotely funny, as a piece of theatre it challenges the highlight of Brendon Burns's set for Showstopping Moment on the Fringe. The rest is Hunter coasting but still trouncing most of the competition.
• Until 27 August (www.edfringe.com).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
