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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,
Kieron Quirke's rating
Reader rating
Neurotic parents: Mother (Eva Magyar) and Father (Brendan Hughes)
This show makes a splash. Carrie Cracknell, who, with fellow twentysomething Natalie Abrahami, has just taken over at the Gate, directs Swiss writer Lukas Barfuss's taboo-breaking drama in a fine production that would be even better for trying a little less.
The subject grabs the attention. Mentally subnormal teen Dora comes off her medication and quickly becomes a slave to sex, her cravings leaving her very open to abuse. It's yukky, and Barfuss relies on that yuk, as the plot grows meaner and more cynical by the minute.
A superb central performance by Cath Whitefield reveals an unappealing soul beneath or springing from Dora's damaged mind. Francis Lee's sneering lover has a locked-up insecurity that you could confuse for a good man peeking through. But it's director Cracknell who's everywhere, though not always effectually.
The installation art set gives an extended opening that has little to do with the play. It's wonderful, intriguing, surprising for a while, then isn't. Flickers of physical theatre often add to the mix but can seem little more than distracting flourishes.
The Gate has been a launch pad for high-flying directors: Stephen Daldry being the most outstanding, Thea Sharrock the most recent. Here, Cracknell suggests she is a more expressive sort than Sharrock, whose youth rarely shows in her work. She is also more reckless. How exciting.
• Until 29 September (020 7229 0706).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Just caught it. A must see. Hughes is an absolute shower!
- Sir Mikel George, USA
Saw a preview of this play over the weekend. It's is indeed amazing, disturbing, funny and very exciting. The central performance of Dora is beautiful. Touching and repellent all at the same time. The relationship between her and the salesman is the most interesting and exciting. He is played incredibly well and is just as complex and layered as Dora. I found the movement a bit distracting, but well worth seeing for the Dora and the Salesman alone. Brilliant. Will definitely go to see more at the Gate.
- Will, London, UK
