Theatre Review The Sex Party Hope Street Theatre Liverpool

 

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this play, but I did expect to have a good laugh, but unfortunately this was not the case. It is billed as a comedy but I was hardly able to raise a smile; there were some titters from the audience but no big belly laugh-out-loud guffaws.

Written by Terry Johnson, one could be forgiven for thinking it looks like a 1970’s TV sitcom about swingers, although that word is not allowed for this sex-themed get-together.

The action takes place in the kitchen in the home of a middle class couple in an affluent part of London where four couples group for an evening of cheese and wine and more intimate experiences. The arrival of one guest in particular causes full scale curiosity and the plot develops.

There are naked male torsos and scantily-clad ladies in various lacey lingerie sets and much discussion of sexual themes, male and female anatomy, drugs and sexual freedom; gender politics and liberation are the order of the day resulting in a bold, sometimes erotic piece of narrative which has adult themes and language.

The set is constant recreating a modern kitchen in affluent London with a door stage left and a door stage right with many comings and goings in true stage farce style.

The cast work well together and portray their characters convincingly although I didn’t really warm to any of them and was not really interested in how they fared after the party.

I would describe this play as a somewhat serious comedy with lots of discussion about sexual liberation which maybe rather out of date by todays standards, and much of the narrative maybe considered offensive in today’s liberal world where same sex couples, transgender men and women are the norm. Some of the narrative and language may also make those viewing feel uncomfortable, bearing in mind the sensitive subject matter.

Cast:

Suzy Bloom

Jamie Ballard

Lisa Gorgin

Jack Loy

James Lavender

Pearl Schomerg

Jackie Green

Jamie Treacher

Zoe Teverson 

The play is suitable for adults 18+ and runs until 11^th September 2026

https://hopestreettheatre.com/whats-on/

Reviewer: Anne Pritchard

On: 3^rd September 2026