A Caravan Named Desire – Shakespeare North Playhouse

I am an avid SNP goer and am always intrigued by the unique plays that are on shown there whether in the main ‘globe like’ arena, the upstairs small studio or the outside ‘Sir Ken Dodd’ space, each performance is memorable, worth my 12-mile journey to see ‘what’s on offer’. I am never disappointed. I was hoping that tonight was no exception.

Tonight, I entered the intimate studio to a scene that showed a messy area of clothes, tippled-over chairs and strewn bottles of water. A couple were in the space looking frantic and tense and the woman was constantly checking her phone. The couple were arguing about whether the show should go ahead as the main female cast member had not attended.  The man stated that the female had to step in and although she initially refused, she played the second cast member. The female cast member Helen Millington, (who directed the play) under duress, agrees to play the part of Crystal (a sex worker) – and as the music of the House Martins “Caravan of love” wanes after playing on a loop, the play commences.  The male cast member played by Helen’s real life husband Alexander (who wrote the play) , explains to the small audience the plays’ plot.  

The essence of the story is that Alex – under the pseudonym “Gary” wants to research the topic of sex and to do this he was to visit a ‘sex worker’ Crystal.       

As the story unfolds, (be warned there is swearing from the frustrated Helen), and ‘Gary’ meets the sex worker in her home in a caravan that soon becomes a regular place of comfort for the man who is allegedly a 30-odd-year old virgin.  

‘Gary’ gives monologues throughout the play explaining how his visits to Crystal were expanding his understanding of sex and how trust was the crucial aspect of this evolvement aspect of any relationship, but as the play continues, over a 6-month period the couple get closer and eventually end up having sex and Helen realise that her husband in his “research” has also had sex for real with the sex worker. Quite ironic hey?

The storyline of the cast couple Gary and Crystal entwined with the real-life couple Alex and Helen, was a intriguing script that worked so well. The couple Helen and Alex Millington were faultless, enigmatic and mesmerising.  Throughout the play there was audience interaction, humour, anger and panache and the 60 minutes were a joy to behold. Split Infinitive are an award-winning Lincolnshire-based theatre company dedicated to creating intimate and engaging pieces of original theatre and tonight they did just that!

If you want to watch two professionals playing parts in a mesmerising play, this unique show is a wonderful opportunity. Go and see this snippet of excellence!

The play is showing Wednesday 31^st July (2pm and 7.30pm) and Thursday 1^st August (7.30pm).  

Reviewer: Jan Mellor

Reviewed: 30^th July 2024

North West End UK Rating: