Nymphomanic Anonymous
If you’re feeling (in the words of philosopher-bards #RightSaidFred) “so sexy it hurts”, then “Nymphomanic Anonymous” at Etcetera Theatre may resonate❤️🔥🚒🧯 Directed by Cansu Ezgi, the play teases a deep exploration of sex addiction with a comedic twist… but does it satisfy?💔
Through a series of “Sex Addicts Anonymous” meetings in a local community centre, we’re introduced to a colourful ensemble: a sex therapy student, a man flirting with divorce, another still in denial, a woman embracing her #EatPrayLoveLess-era & a 24-year-old virgin…
Each session, marked by unique breathing exercises🌬️, offers a glimpse into the complex relationship each character has with sex. It’s a solid structure but sadly, the play often falls into the trap of stereotypes, with its characters embodying predictable arcs…
Sure, the topic of sex is inherently tantalising (for most, we see you #asexies), but #NymphosAnon struggles to say something new or profound, or at the very least, create an accurate picture of what conversations around sex look like in 2024. Neither characters nor plot is particularly fresh, so the onus is placed on the actors’ performances…🏋🏻
…which, thankfully, sparkle in moments of well-crafted humour & poignant soliloquies✨ Yet, these glimmers of brilliance can’t hide the lack of coherent message or meaningful engagement with the subject…
Even the staging & music choices feel superficial and, at times, counterproductive. Headphone music that takes over one scene even after its listener has left leaves us scratching our heads about whose POV we’re following & the rules of the world (Can they all hear this? Is it just us?🤔)…
In essence, #Nymphonymous edges but ultimately falls short of delivering a compelling narrative. It’s a reminder that laughter can be a powerful tool, but without a solid foundation, even the most vibrant performances (theatrical #fuckbois, if you will) can’t mask the absence of depth🫥. 2/5🌟