Stage Capsule

Previously hailed as important and controversial, Mark Ravenhill's play is actually complete crap. A purported examination of power, money, sex, and addiction, the show succeeds only in humiliating its cast, who are required to scream, throw food at each other, and simulate anilingus and a big ol' butt-fucking gangbang. (Bring the kids!) Mark (Andrew Ableson) bought Jimmie (the overwrought Paradox Pollack) and Lulu (Tirza Naramore) from a fat guy in a grocery store -- hey, things are different in England. Now Mark's in rehab, which he ducks out of to rent a quick butt-lick from Gary (Flynn DeMarco). Gary later pulls a train with Mark and Jimmie and then derails it by asking to be fucked with a knife. (Who are we to judge?) Ravenhill appears to be attempting a Mamet-like rhythm in the dialogue, but this escapes director Michael Donald Edwards -- instead, the actors merely seem to be stepping on lines. Trying to evince aimlessness, the production and the play are just aimless.