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Waiting for Sandy: Milked @WhiteBearTheatre

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Two lads looking for meaning and lots of time on their hands are at the heart of Milked. Simon Longman's play first premiered in 2013. While it may not capture the latest malaises and anxieties affecting post-pandemic youth, it has enough of a familiar ring to it for anyone who has eavesdropped on the thoughts and musings of young people when out and about. And with some lively performances by the two young men, you feel drawn into their bizarre little world as the conversation runs from the routine to the ridiculous. It's currently having a short run at the White Bear Theatre in Kennington.  The premise is that Paul (Iwan Bond) is searching for a job that becomes increasingly desperate. He wants to find a job in media (whatever that is) but has neither the skills nor the experience to do it. And being based in Herefordshire rather than London makes it a stretch to be considered for anything. His mate, Snowy (Evan L. Barker), seems to be on a journey of self-discovery. His fat...

A little less conversation: After Sex @Arcolatheatre


According to research, millennials in rich countries are having sex less these days. But they were prepared to talk more about it. So, it is no surprise to see a story about what happens when a series of no-strings-attached encounters start to become attachments. And the conversations arising from it. Such is the premise of After Sex, Siofra Dromgoole’s two-hander of the conversations afterwards. It’s not particularly sexy or erotic, and the snappy pacing and short scenes sometimes make you wish they stayed longer to finish the conversation. Nevertheless, it is still a funny and, at times, bittersweet picture of single lives in the big city. It’s currently playing at the Arcola Theatre. 


He is bi and works for her in an office job. She is neither ready for a commitment nor to let the office know what’s happening. He isn’t prepared to tell his mum there’s someone special in his life. He doesn’t speak to his dad, so his mum is his world. It’s a perfect relationship/arrangement. Or so it seems. But through these casual encounters, desires, fantasies, and the urge to connect with someone becomes strong. 

The two leads aid much of the tension and the drama. They move about the stage with their lingering looks at each other that seem both intense and provocative. His booming voice makes it difficult not to listen to Azan Ahmed. He has no name in this piece, but nobody will likely forget him. Similar for Antonia Salib. As her, she may admit she let several guinea pigs die, but you feel an affection for this serial guinea pig killer in ways that you probably should not. 


Running for just over an hour, it’s a brief encounter of post-coital discussions. Maybe there’s a future version where things can linger longer, allowing us to understand the characters more. But in the meantime, there’s laughter tinged with a hint of sadness and loneliness in this production. There isn’t much physical intimacy here, but the imagination sometimes runs wild. 

Directed by Izzy Pariss, After Sex by Siofra Dromgoole is at the Arcola Theatre until 3 August. Look out for the pre-and post-show discussions on 25 July. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Photos by Jake Bush


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