THEATRE: WHORE

This debut offering from Rick Viede is both edgy and energetic. Following the stories of two 20-somethings trying to carve a path in the tough world of big-city London, Whore is Jack the Ripper, Trainspotting and The Secret Life of Us all rolled into one. This one is not for the faint-hearted: nudity, strobe lights, drug use and adult themes all feature. It is a risky performance for both the actors and the audience, as the body both metaphorically and physically dominates this production.
The association with FBi radio lends both credibility and an appropriate soundtrack to this production, and helps to convey the themes and concerns of this play with a vivid intensity. By tying the script to relatable cultural markers, the music makes this production relevant to more than just a limited 20-something audience. Set and lighting design also play an important role in making this production cutting edge and effective, and the recurring techniques are highly visceral.
The actors, particularly Rhiannon Owen, are forced to struggle to hold their own in this sensory onslaught. That said, they do so with an intensity and level of belief that provides necessary emotional depth. This production is a challenge, but definitely a worthwhile one for those who are brave enough to venture beyond their own world.

Until 28 June. Belvoir Street Downstairs Theatre, 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills. $10-29, 9699 3444, or belvoir.com.au