Review: Lizzie Roper
- Posted on March 1, 2007 12:01 PM
- 0 comments
By Katie Spain
The last time I saw Lizzie Roper I was on stage with her hosting the Question and Answer Session of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at the Garrick Theatre. To be honest, I didn't pay too much attention to her at the time (I was after all in the presence of the devilish Christian Slater). She did however; master the role of Christian's buxom, blonde girlfriend 'Candy' to perfection. She was ditzy and randy as a rabbit... so I guess it came as no surprise when I discovered her latest show at Trafalgar Studios is all about sex.
I was pleasantly surprised however, to find that the opening of her new solo comedy show 'Peccadillo Circus' contained footage of her former One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest pals. Hey, if you've got friends in high places, milk them for all they're worth. 'Chief' was even in last night's audience.
In her one hour sex fest, Lizzie reveals a snapshot of Britain's sex secrets, as told by Brits themselves. When researching the fetishes, secrets and mannerisms of the people around us, she interviewed a number of everyday folk. The result was edited down audio from colorful characters such as an internet sex addict, a celibate therapist and a part time dominatrix. Lizzie relays their stories on stage - with the aid of a pair of earphones and some admirable impersonations. The result was kind of like ventriloquism, without the arm up a puppet's rectum.
The show had rave reviews at the 2006 Edinburgh Festival and some pretty bad ones during its run in London. Maybe we Londoners aren't the open minded people we like to believe. Or maybe the Scots are just kinkier. There's always the chance that Londoners are such frantic sexual explorers that a comedy packed documentary about love-making fails to shock us, or maybe it's only the prudes who make it to the theatres... the rest of the city are probably at Torture Garden.
Either way, I have to disagree with the critics... the roof wasn't lifted with laughter, but the floor was sure soaked in it. Above all, it made me think... what do people get up to? Why? Normality for some is flashing complete strangers, whips, tassels or Internet encounters... for the rest, it's missionary.
This is one delightfully short and snappy show that'll make you study the people on the tube on the way home... what would they say in a Lizzie Roper interview? What's more - what would you?
Lizzie Roper
Touring UK venues in 2007
Trafalgar Studios until March 3rd
Stourbridge Town Hall 8th March
Unity Theatre Liverpool 16th March
Cardiff Millenium Theatre 23rd March
South Street Reading 24th March
Plough Arts Torrington 30th March
Swindon Arts Centre 5th May
Norwich Playhouse 9th June
Croydon Clocktower 16th June
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