Flirt Fiction – The Blue Room

 Don’t let the title of this play or the subject matter of erotica, stop you from seeing and enjoying this production. Described as a saucy performance that “delves into the heart of literatures most taboo genre, exploring sexual desire through the written word”, Flirt Fiction will have you laughing, may at times shock, and even arouse but you will leave the theatre having been entertained and questioning the role of erotica in human relationships. 

Flirt Fiction Satisfies
Presented by: The Blue Room Theatre and Red Rabbit CollectiveVenue:  The Blue Room Theatre Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Don’t let the title of this play or the subject matter of erotica, stop you from seeing and enjoying this production. Described as a saucy performance that “delves into the heart of literature’s most taboo genre, exploring sexual desire through the written word”, Flirt Fiction will have you laughing, may at times shock, and even arouse but you will leave the theatre having been entertained and questioning the role of erotica in human relationships. Written and directed by Jessica Craig-Piper, Flirt Fiction is a literary duel. Two writers, Henry and Ana challenge each other to write a piece of erotica. Inspired by local waitress, Venus, they begin to write and lead the audience through an array of erotic fantasies. (And this is all achieved without a performer appearing naked!)
As the play begins the character of Henry, played by Lawrence Ashford (Unidentified Human Remains, The True Nature of Love – Hayman Theatre) views sex as a challenge. A sport to be played in bars picking up women with such pick up lines as “Does heaven know it’s missing an angel?” By the end of the play he finds himself in a relationship saying such lines as “He’s sorry” and “I love you.” Ashford takes us on a believable journey from teenage conquests to love.
Both female leads shine as they each deliver a monologue describing separate erotic fantasies. Venus, played by Zoe Cooper (She Stoops to Conquer, Terrorism – Hayman Theatre, miniseries Cloudstreet), holds the audience spellbound as she recounts the erotic fantasy involving a bear in the forest while Ana, played by Kathryn Delaney (seen on stage as her alter ego Fanny La Rue) recounts an encounter in an art gallery with excitement that infects the audience. The three performers use the space well performing physical theatre, monologues, questioning, narratives and even human art – as they write on Venus, slipping seamlessly from one character to another.
The set, designed by Stephen Warren, is littered with suitcases. These are opened throughout the show to reveal such items as alcohol bottles, pine cones and pieces of art. These help to set the scenes throughout the performance. “With such a limited performance space we needed to find a way to show a change of scene,” explained Craig-Piper.
Flirt fiction is a play on many levels. It explores the different attitudes and expectations of sex by males and females while exploring  various erotic fantasies.  
And yes there are sexual references and course language in the production but somehow you get the feeling it’s a bit like sitting in on a sex education class. This production will entertain, educate and leave you thinking. What else could you ask from a production?
“Why take the risk? Because I love you!”
Octoberr 6 – 22
Blue Room Theatre53 James Street, North Bridge
Tuesday – Saturday  8:30pmTickets $15 – $25
For bookings & more information visitwww.blueroom.org.au  or 08 9227 7005 photo by: Angela H. King