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The Review - THEATRE
Published: 6 December 2007

Strip phenomemon is laid bare

THE BETTER DEAL
Etcetera Theatre

STRIP clubs have gone from red light to mainstream in the last decade; it’s a billion-pound industry now. High time then, for Christopher Brandon and Sarah Sigal’s thoughtful portrayal of the world of “up-market” gentleman’s clubs.
Set in the dressing room of a strip club, the Better Deal shows the interactions of six women working over the course of one night, interspersed with flashbacks that elucidate further the motivations and desires of the characters.
The play is at its best in the ensemble dressing room scenes: the cast chat, bitch and banter; their conversation flowing from eyebrow tweezing, to hot men to terrorism to bring to life that mix of camaraderie and antagonism characteristic of such intense, single-sex environments.
The flashback scenes are more hit and miss. Some add an emotional intensity and poignancy, while in others the subject matter or some self-conscious dramatic techniques distract from, rather than enhance, the flow of the play.
With this it would have been easy to push a simplistic political stance. Instead the writing is subtle and restrained.
Issues of family history, body image, abusive bosses, money and the darker side of the sex industry are all evoked.
With a running time of an hour, you are sometimes left wishing for a bit more exploration of the issues, but ultimately it is an enjoyable, intelligent rendering of a troubling but intriguing contemporary phenomenon.
Run complete
Moving to Barons Court Theatre until December 9
020 8932 4747

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