Closer by Patrick Marber

‘The truth is rarely pure and never simple’ (Wilde)

The central theme of Closer is truth.  Questions of morality are raised and the assumption that the absolute truth is healthy for relationships is constantly challenged. Romantic notions of love and sex bringing people ‘closer’ are turned on their heads.

Marber’s play is alert to the cruel inequalities of love, as the characters change partners with all the characteristic uncertainties and tensions; love versus sex, lies versus truth, and loyalty versus betrayal.

This four-character La Ronde for the 1990’s brings reserved obituary writer Dan’s unlikely relationship with a young, disarming American stripper Alice into the lives of randy dermatologist Larry and his divorcee girlfriend Anna in an evening never dips beneath delicious, lascivious entertainment.

However, of the many four-letter obscenities in Patrick Marber's thrilling London Love Story for the Nineties, ‘love' is undoubtedly the most brutal.

The setting is a series of locales; places are evoked, not shown, minimal furniture balancing the verbal excess of the play.

Patrick Marber’s Closer premiered at the Royal National Theatre and won an Olivier for ‘Best New Play’ in 1997.  It was made into a film in 2004 by Mike Nichols with Natalie Portman, Julie Roberts, Clive Owen and Jude Law.

‘Lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off.

But it's better if you do.’ (Marber in Closer)