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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,
Fiona Mountford's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Lyndsey Turner.
Cast: Paul Hunter, Amanda Lawrence, Justine Mitchell, Justin Salinger
Description: David Johnston's translation of Juan Mayorga's drama about obsession and insomnia. Directed by Lyndsey Turner.
Trains: Tube: Notting Hill Gate 
Phone: 0207229 0706
Website: www.gatetheatre.co.uk
Facing blackmail: Justine Mitchell and Justin Salinge as the Tall husband and wife
It’s not hard to imagine the Hollywood remake of Nocturnal. Russell Crowe would play the creepy, friendless Short Man and someone vaguely exotic-looking would be his illegal immigrant neighbour and victim, Tall Man. It would be set in one of the less lovely parts of Los Angeles and would positively brim with urban paranoia and claustrophobia, with too many people who know nothing about each other living in too small a space and not getting any proper rest.
It isn’t mere fancy to conjure the immensely fruitful scenario provided by Spanish playwright Juan Mayorga up and away into another life. On the evidence of this brisk translation by David Johnston, Mayorga pushes his idea so far and then, frustratingly, no further, leaving us to wonder what might have been. The two wives, in particular, have roles that are in desperate need of fleshing out.
As soon as Short (the tall-ish Paul Hunter) reveals to Tall (the shortish Justin Salinger) that he knows he is in the country illegally, a desperate psychological pincer movement starts. Intriguingly it’s not denunciation he’s after but friendship and escape from a wife who is hooked to an eerie late-night television programme in which a quack doctor counsels insomniacs.
Much is stylish in Lyndsey Turner’s taut production, not least Matthew Walker’s terrific animations, which beam a range of authentically nondescript city backdrops into the tiny playing area. Hunter’s unwavering one-note tone of delivery is limiting, though, and Salinger could usefully dig deeper into the conflict of a decent man in an impossible situation. Somebody send Russell a script.
Until 16 May (020 7229 0706, www.gatetheatre.co.uk).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
