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A little less conversation: After Sex @Arcolatheatre

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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

Make a pot roast: The World Goes 'Round - the songs of Kander and Ebb @St_JamesTheatre


After catching The World Goes Round, it is easy to appreciate the breadth of writing from composers and lyricist John Kander and Fred Ebb. In the days since catching it, many of the songs have become ear worms. Who would have thought a song about two women comparing their lives (and singing about pot roast) could do that? No doubt it is due to the fine music making on stage.

The show includes songs from their best known works, Cabaret and Chicago. But it also includes many other songs from lesser known shows. And songs that might have been lost are now given the chance to shine.

It is a lot of songs in to get through in one evening but the show never drags during its nearly two hour duration. Helping the proceedings along are the performers assembled for the evening and each are given their moment.


The four piece band assembled under the music direction of Kris Rawlinson gives a strong foundation to the evening.

The ever-reliable Debbie Kurup opens the show with the title number and blows the audience away. It doesn't let up with many other highlights. Oliver Thompsett  gives a sublime interpretation of I Don’t Remember You.


Stefan Lloyd-Evans delivers a light and delicate rendition of the song Sara Lee. The song is about a man’s obsession with pastries. It is hilarious even if you find it hard to believe (given his physique) he is a man who spends his life eating brioche.

Sally Samad gets brassy with the song about having a man in the afternoon. And Alexandra Da Silva gives the audience several comic turns in the evening. A particular highlight being Ring Them Bells, taking a song written for Liza Minelli and making it her own.

At times it looks it looks a little crowded on stage. But what it lacks in choreography and staging, is made up with some intricate harmonies and fine music making that blow the audience away.

The World Goes Round, produced by Neil Eckersley, runs at the St James Studio until Sunday. It would be great to see some of these shows restaged sometime in London, but in the meantime, there is The World Goes Round...

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎

Photos by Tiffany Slagle

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