Twenty-two years on Neil LaBute’s take on Pygmalion – in which a young female artist turns a nerd into a stud – still has pulling power. How else to explain the presence of Brian ‘Succession’ Cox in Row C last night, complete with a Logan Roy baseball cap, shades and a scowl?
Though dated by its references to Richard Gere and the TV series Kung Fu – and a cover of Time Magazine speculating on Hillary Clinton standing as a sentator – the play is a slick and efficient black comedy of ideas. It’s well-served here by director Nicky Allpress in a brisk staging, stylishly designed by Peter Butler, with a cracking post-punk soundtrack. There are pleasing, well-shaped performances from Luke ‘Bridgerton’ Newton and Amber ‘Peaky Blinders’ Anderson in the lead roles.
