Siofra Dromgoole considers a relationship almost exclusively through the chatter of a post-coital couple in this often surprising play.
After Sex is a brisk two-hander, coming in at 65 minutes, closely directed by Izzy Parriss and sparsely designed by Pip Terry and Simeon Miller.
Offering an easy intimacy between the two that also offers relatable moments of humour, After Sex is never unduly crude or risqué.
It simply follows two work colleagues who fall into a pattern of casual sex. Both are coy when it comes to commitment; neither mature enough to communicate effectively.
There is no nudity. White tops and shorts stand for a state of undress and intimacy director Stella Moss does a good job in allowing touch without stepping over a line.
Azan Ahmed and Antonia Salib are named in the text only as ‘Him’ and ‘Her’. Some issues complicate their characters unnecessarily, but there’s a strong trajectory to their story.
It is a closely observed connection, but I felt it stopped short of the erotic – although I appreciate such things are a matter of personal taste. This pair enjoy their closeness, but their chemical energy felt a bit forced.
After Sex handles a tonal shift in the second half quite well, as Him and Her deal with the consequences of casual play. We may be rooting for one ending, but this pair may not reach it.
Relationships aren’t easy. There are moments of boredom, of irritation, of nit-picking. But also moments that are close to love as we will ever find, and that isn’t always found by one person inside another.
Moments of movement (directed by Stephanie Burrell) could be expanded where words don’t quite fit, but in its current form a shift into dance jars with the frankness of the discourse.
I’m giving this 3.5 stars.
After Sex continues at Arcola Theatre until 3 Aug with tickets here.