***

Based on John Gray’s best-selling self-help book, Ian Houghton’s witty discourse brings out the essential differences in the mental characteristics between men and women in long standing relationships. Located in a university lecture theatre, this is entirely in keeping with the power point, seminar approach.

Although married couples and partners may love each other, they do not read the signs either in mood or words to understand what is fully going in each other’s minds. Loads of examples and situations are used to highlight the differences with reference to caves and waves for example. The sexual politics in the simple act of hoovering is a humorous highlight. The differences in approach to sexual needs are kept for the final section.

As a piece of theatre, it could have worked better with the female thoughts and feelings being expressed by a woman rather than through a male solo performance, despite Ian Houghton’s clarity of expression. Nevertheless, couples embarking on a long term relationship, or a few years into a relationship would gain helpful insight from this show.

Reviewed by Ben

Underbelly Bristo Square/Ermintrude; 300

1 to 27 August 2012 (not 13)

15.30 – 16.30

Fringe Programme Page Number: 298