Closer, Donmar Warehouse ****

Despite my anxiety at the prospect of letting down the King of Edinburgh and the Spirit of the Fringe Richard Herring, I convinced myself to see a Patrick Marber play. The play, much like Herring's comedy, has very crude sex references with a whole scene devoted to in depth smut discussion. However, it is so much more than that. It is cleverly constructed so that a cigarette holds so much meaning yet works as a narrative without these metaphors. As a play, whilst it isn't the most special of plays. It is admirable and has mostly stood the test of time. This production is probably the best staging that this play could receive. Bunny Christies set has a similar feeling to The Hard Problem but is executed far better, the transition from scene to scene seeming slicker and rehearsed; not needing a full stage crew to move scenery about. It uses video design effectively without it detracting from the relatively minimalist set. The actors are on top form; it is always joyous to witness Oliver Chris and, with a new series of Bluestone 42 on its way, I have never been happier. Rufus Sewell was a far more charismatic Larry than the production photos suggested and the female leads are equally superb. Whilst, it does need a warning for extremely inappropriate and child-like content, it provides a great evenings entertainment.