The Misandrist at the Arcola Theatre – review

Pegging is a fetish that became a trend on twitter recently thanks to (alleged) royal patronage, so this new play from Lisa Carroll, a no-holds-barred insight into contemporary relationships, feels strangely topical. 

Rachel and Nick meet at an office Christmas party and go through the standard rom-com tropes of meet-cute, kooky banter and awkward sexual encounter. But things soon escalate when Rachel persuades Nick to try pegging – for the uninitiated, an act that involves role reversal between a woman and a man (hence the strapline that it’s a “penetrating new comedy”) – that is initially exciting but soon turns into an obsession.

Although ostensibly focused on a very particular sex act, the play covers a range of themes, notably consent and the male-female power dynamic. Its messaging is not exactly subtle – at one point Rachel delivers a monologue listing everything she hates about men – and the troubling sexual dynamics (there are implications of abuse) are not fully explored. But it’s laced with sharp lines and dark humour that feels resonant of Lucy Prebble or Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Bethany Pitts’ production is highly engaging, staged on Cara Evans’ round-platformed, neon-lit set, which lends the whole thing a suitably seedy air. There are some neat metatheatrical touches, notably when the central characters grab mics and narrate their own, often embarrassing, sexual encounters. And the assured performances of Elf Lyons and Nicholas Armfield capture their characters’ very relatable vulnerabilities, as well as kinks. Lyons imbues Rachel with an endearing gawkiness while Armfield moves convincingly through the gears from everyday lad to emotional wreck.

It’s a long evening (unfortunately I had to duck out at one stage and wasn’t readmitted, so missed the end of act one), perhaps overlong for the narrative. However there are plenty of interesting ideas being explored, not least the impact of pornography on contemporary sex and the psychological fallout of the increasingly frank edge to modern dating. The aforementioned “I hate men” speech – which prompted an instant ovation – may be on the nose but it undeniably lands some blows (eg “I hate men because they think lesbian sex is for their benefit”). It’s a zeitgeisty play that shows great promise, and confirms Carroll as a writer to watch.