Behind Closed Doors review, Drayton Arms

I had the old Charlie Rich song in my head as we headed to the Drayton Arms this evening - nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors... Behind this particular door we find Emma and Connor preparing for a dinner party. Connor's running through the guests - a ghastly crew of Emma's work colleagues headed by know-all Nadia. Connor already hates the thought of Nadia and her geeky husband, Mark. What will he make of the real thing?  Then, out-of-the-blue, Emma's newly single sister Kirsty texts. She's coming over. Now. There could be trouble ahead.

The first half of Behind Closed Doors zings along with humour and energy. Writer Kevin Lee wittily showcases the nuanced behaviours that give relationships away. Joining tight-lipped Nadia and nerdy Mark in Emma's front room, is giggly Grace from Facilities Management. On her arm is her black boyfriend Ben, presented as a stereotype - a member of the gormless DJ tribe living in social housing. He discusses anal sex over beef bourguignon and makes jokes about prison and pooh. Enter Kirsty.  Kitted out like Janis Joplin, and planning a thirty-something gap year, she's in the mood for mischief.  Only Grace and Ben - a delightful comic duo from start to finish - escape her wiles. As the others start to chafe we wonder where, or on whom, the axe is going to fall.

A mood change in the second half of Behind Closed Doors sees a series of rambling conversations and unnecessary diversions that fail to shed light on matters. A ferocious argument defending Trump creates fireworks, but what is its relevance to what Emma and Connor are working through Behind Closed Doors?  As the lights go down the same can be asked of much of the evening's action.

In conclusion: Kevin Lee directs as well as writes, and there are some very funny moments. What's needed is some unpicking and restitching to build in tension and focus so there's a more clear direction of travel. An excellent cast - Ciaran Duce, Frances Knox, Adam Strawford, Pearce Sampson, Kristina Westall, Suzy Whitefield and Fiona McGee - give it their all.



Behind Closed Doors at the Drayton Arms Theatre, SW5 0LJ, runs to 26 August