Review: SHOPPING AND F**KING, Lyric Hammersmith, 14 October 2016

It's been 20 years since Mark Ravenhill's notoriously titled Shopping and F**king was first staged at the Royal Court.

In his foreword for the Lyric Hammersmith's anniversary production, Ravenhill describes the show's scandalous reputation - and its actual reception. 1996 audiences may have been (largely) ready to nod seriously at plays highlighting such "issues", but this production, directed by Sean Holmes, seems aimed at a broader demographic than just the theatrical intelligentsia.

Appalling and hilarious in equal measure, Shopping and F**king tells of three rather lost individuals. Disconnected, they move through Ravenhill's vision of the 21st century with increasing desperation, reducing meaningful experiences to a series of transactions. This production's apt tagline is "a place where shopping is sexy and f***ing is a job".

It's incredible that the production is so funny, given that everything in Ravenhill's world could be true. Huge credit should go to Holmes and his Associate and Assistant Directors, Jude Christian and Paloma Oakenfold. Their vision is clear even before the play begins, as ushers, set (designed superbly by Jon Bausor and Tal Rosner) and costume (by Grace Smart) submerge the audience in a commercial world only slightly removed from our own. Bright lights and fancy technology lure us in, even as the play's events repel us.

The cast is superb. Sam Spruell is a brave and seamlessly believable Mark, beautifully juxtaposed by Sophie Wu's energetic yet subtle Lulu. Alex Arnold is an earnest Robbie; he prompts understanding for a potentially alienating character. David Moorst is unrecognisable from previous roles and brings great humour to the show with his perfectly pitched physicality and wonderful vocal work. Holmes has also found a way to continue the current trend for gender-switched or gender-blind casting, without the choice seeming contrived. Ashley McGuire plays Brian, and so almost balances out Ravenhill's archaically male-heavy script - and with such aplomb! As is so much of Shopping and F**king, she is terribly, nastily funny.

It's rare for a production's various elements to combine to such an effective whole. Holmes has even brought in metatheatrical encounters with the state management team and utilised technology with wonderful imagination. The audience is immersed and sometimes part of events - yet overall, removed enough to understand how disturbing the whole thing is. All in all, this is a great play lifted from the script's pages with exceptional skill and talent.

Shopping and F***ing follows Frantic Assembly's success with Things I Know To Be True and the revival of the wonderful Bugsy Malone. Sean Holmes (who is also the Lyric Hammersmith's Artistic Director) has furthered this venue's reputation of brilliant work within a versatile programme. Here are creatives and a venue to watch.

Please note that Shopping and F**king contains language, adult themes and nudity.

Shopping and F***ing is at Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith until 5 November

Photo Credit: Helen Murray

Read our interview with Sean Holmes

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