Closer

What I liked

Most of the staging is terrific and the actors work seamlessly throughout the entire space, almost like a dance. The writing is absolutely superb, a total delight to hear and very, very well performed; as much as I could see. A smooth and polished production.

What I didn't like

The show clearly states “includes nudity” and there was absolutely none. If this is an advertising draw it is reprehensible and truly a disservice to the production and to the festival, as it is a blatant misrepresentation. It is a disservice because it will be very disappointing to those for whom the nudity is an experience of a Fringe avant-garde production, and a tremendous disservice to those who won’t see the show because of the nudity. Those folks will miss out on a tremendous play, all because of a misleading advertising gimmick.

For much of the play the actors constantly face each other, which results in much of the audience not being able to see their faces, or a profile at best. Please tell these fine actors they don’t need to eyeball each other the entire time. The final scene, where the characters are finally openly vulnerable is directed with the actors facing completely upstage, with only the backs of their heads visible. Seemed like a director’s little trick, but took me out of the experience.

My overall impression

A wonderful piece of theatre, but falsely advertised and with some directing flaws.