Sex Toys - the full length version

‘Sex Toys - The Full Length Version’ is a fun-filled, extended version of the multi-award winning, one-act short play staged four years ago by local playwright, Carl Aspden Pomfret. It is showing at the Marloo Theatre, 20 Marloo Road, Greenmount, and runs until the 11^th May. Performances are at 8.00 pm, with a Sunday matinee at 2.00 pm.

There is an Auslan interpretation by Paula Norman on Wednesday 8^th May.

       The scene is Carol’s smart flat in suburbia (set designer Richard Coleman).

       Quiet and slightly introverted Carol (Sharnya Thomson) is quite distressed at a gift she has received from her partner, businessman Bobby (Brendan Ellis). She feels that he is trying to turn her from a caring lady into a sex object. Luckily, her best friend, the wild and bubbly Jill (Jenelle Altinier) has just buzzed the front door, perhaps she can help.

       When Jill hears about the toy, she is keen to see it and perhaps even borrow it. Just as the girls are in deep intimate conversation, Bobby’s best pal, Cameron (Brian Dennison) arrives. Like Jill he is the adventurous type, with a penchant for young girls, his latest being spicy Trisha (Hayley Derwort), who is very keen to learn.

      Act four opens in Cameron’s beautifully furnished flat. 

      It is Cameron’s birthday and he is all alone. He doesn’t know that Jill has arranged for Mr Killjoy (Andrew Watson) and his sister (Amanda Minutillo) to give him an unusual surprise.
The party guests are played by Emma Dee, Sarsi Elsberry, Alex Sutton, Carl Pomfret, Katie Bandarian, Cat Martin, Harrison MacLennan and Deborah Barns.

Director, Sallie Ketteringham, who originally directed ‘Sex Toys’ as a one-act, has returned to give this new and extended script a madcap approach. The costumieres, Marjorie De Caux and Annie Bramble, must have had some fun getting the outrageous outfits together.

There were some very funny passages; however, I think that some editing at the beginning of Act 2 and the party scene would restore more punch.

The four main cast members were wonderful; they had to discuss delicate topics but did it with confidence and a great deal of fun. The courage of Amanda Minutillo (who was also assistant director) and Andrew Watson brought the biggest belly laugh of the night. The sexual advances were not lewd, just very funny. The topic is daring, but there is no nudity or anything that is likely to cause an interval walkout. No doubt, for some of the audience this may their first time seeing a ‘live’ sex toy. Although in this case, the term ‘sex toys’ actually refers to the characters in the play. There is a small amount of bad language, parts are risqué, plenty of doublé-entendres but most of the show would be acceptable to your maiden aunt.

Last night’s audience were mainly middle-aged ladies and they laughed all the way through. A novel idea well presented.