Misandrist: A Toe-Curling Take on Sexual Equality
It’s billed – forgive the pun – as a penetrating new play.
The Misandrist is a dark comedy with two actors and lots of dildos and butt plugs. Pegging is the main activity as Rachel, scarily tall and demanding, meets nice guy Nick, and insists on this equal opportunities sex act.
With an age guidance of 14+ (really?) writer Lisa Carroll explores this quest for true intimacy, sexual equality and a desire to own top quality Tupperware.
It’s hilarious. But also poignant and toe-curlingly honest as the couple embark on their sexual odyssey of self-discovery.
Rachel, played by Elf Lyons as the brittle and fragile casualty of a dysfunctional relationship with her alcoholic father and cheating ex, is intensely distrustful of men. Pretty well all men. God, she really hates them. She lists their failings in a breathless, seemingly endless rant that calls them to account for stoning women, wearing gilets and burning witches.
She hates that they leer and whistle at women, think lesbian sex is for them, join the Bullingdon Club, believe they can beat Serena Williams at tennis, flash young girls, frequent strip clubs, spread their legs on the Tube, send dick picks, tell shit jokes, think child care is a woman’s job and tell women to calm down.
That’s some litany. And she doesn’t feel any better for reciting it.
Nick, with Nicholas Armfield playing the likeable good guy, turns the other cheek. Literally, as he succumbs to her insistence they indulge in pegging. And that’s nothing to do with putting the washing out to dry.
Rachel Takes Back Control as she morphs into the role of dominatrix with her strap-on, thigh-high stiletto gold boots and black Latex mask.
Cue a spectacular orgasm (his) signalled by a cascade of glitter.
Their passionate role play morphs into ‘normal’ – with trips to Hampton Court, birthday gifts and togetherness holidays.
The seeds of self-destruction are sown.
Dalston’s intimate Arcola Theatre is The Misandrist’s debut run and the ideal edgy venue. But I’d think twice before bringing your 14 year olds.
- The Misandrist, by Lisa Carroll, at the Arcola Theatre, Dalston, E8 till June 10. Buy tickets here
- Find more theatre reviews here.
