0
Composer Mark Simpson’s inspiration for Pleasure came from his early experiences of Liverpool gay nightlife in his early twenties. Whilst watching the outrageous drag queens and the curious men hanging back from the clubs too scared to go in, and misfits who did not know where they belonged, Simpson began to view these scenes differently. He began to wander how the gay culture had changed over the years, and at what point did the fun stop and reality take over.
In 2008 Simpson teamed up with writer Melanie Challenger after reading her poetry. After composing a piece inspired by one of her poems he asked her if she wanted to write a opera about a gay night club. Eight years later Pleasure had its world premiere at the Howard Assembly Room at Opera North, Leeds, on the 28 April 2016, and has now arrived at the Liverpool Playhouse for one night only.
Lesley Garrett as Val works the toilets in ‘Pleasure’ a gay nightclub and for years has been a confidante for those that have passed through its doors. She is much loved but is seen as a bit of an enigma, a mother hen and a shoulder to cry on. Why is she still there? When a young boy arrives and leaves a gift for Val, it marks the beginning of a passionate and violent night.
As in true opera style there is drama aplenty in this 75 minute performance. It starts dark with Simpson’s score perhaps sounding a little uneasy as the character Val is telling her story. It builds as each of the four characters place themselves in the tale and for the character Anna Fewmore played by Steven Page, his costumes just got more wacky as each scene passed. It ends as it begins, dramatically and suddenly, but packs a dramatic and emotional punch.
This is not your ordinary theatre experience its fair to say, and if you wanting to see a straight play then this is not for you. However for fans of opera with all of its dramatics and emotions then Pleasure could be for you.
Pleasure
Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool
May 3 – May 7, 2016
PR Rating: ***