The Prudes, written by Anthony Neilson, is a comedy centred around the sex lives (or lack thereof) of Jimmy and Jess, a couple grappling with intimacy issues. While the premise offers plenty of potential for humour and thoughtful exploration of modern relationships, the production, unfortunately, falls short in several areas, leaving the audience with a mixed experience.
Vkinn Vats, who portrays Jimmy, tended to overact at times. His performance felt slightly exaggerated, not reminiscent of a man struggling with insecurity and relationship woes. Instead of fully drawing the audience into his internal conflict, the over-the-top delivery occasionally pulled us out of the moment. At times, it seemed as though the actor was playing for laughs in a way that leaned more towards slapstick than subtle comedy, which didn’t always fit with the tone the play seemed to be aiming for.
The breaking of the fourth wall, a device that can be effective when used sparingly, became overused and detracted from the overall flow of the play. Instead of helping us connect more with the characters, it felt forced and unnecessary, disrupting the narrative and making it feel more like a theatrical experiment rather than an organic storytelling choice. Combined with moments that veered too much toward pantomime, it created a sense that the play wasn’t sure of its own identity.
Adding to this, were a number of sexual assault related jokes that seemed out of place and in poor taste. This raised the question of whether this was really a necessary story to be told, especially in today’s social climate. These moments made it harder to engage with the characters and the message the play was trying to convey.
On the other hand, Niamh Callan, who played Jess, delivered a commendable performance. Her portrayal was grounded, and authentic, bringing much-needed balance to the production. Her ability to convey vulnerability and frustration in a believable way was one of the stronger aspects of the show.
Despite the play’s flaws in execution, it is undeniably well-written. Neilson’s dialogue is sharp, and his exploration of modern relationships does touch on some relevant and thought-provoking themes, but the delivery undermined the impact. The Prudes had potential, but it was lost in the mismatch between writing and performance
Reviewer: Zandra Odetunde
Reviewed: 14th September 2024
North West End UK Rating: