BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MALE perspectives on sex were put under the microscope in visionary playwright Loughlin Tatem and Poinciana Theatre’s latest production, “When Men Talk About Sex”.
The play was staged at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium last evening (Dec. 13) and featured a vibrant cast of both young and old that led the audience through a variety of emotions and sensations. Although there were only three scenes, each delved deeply into the varied views of human sexual behaviour.
Scene one began in a courthouse as a judge delivered a guilty rape verdict and conviction to a prominent businessman. Moments after the ruling was given, the virtual complainant retracted her claim, focusing the ensuing discussion on whether or not women invite men to sexually harass them by wearing suggestive clothing.
During the next scene, a husband and wife sought counsel of their friends after a conflict in their sexual opinions. The characters expounded on the sexual roles of men and women and how those roles had changed or been redefined over the years.
The final scene gave an inside look into the interconnected lives and dealings of four workers in the Customs Department, who did everything from sleeping around to beating up on one another over jealousy and intolerance.
The comedic performances drew laughs from the captive audience, which thunderously applauded at the play’s conclusion.
Speaking to SKNVibes, Tatem said the play was meant to engender societal self-evaluation through its exploration of the feelings associated with right and wrong about sexual behaviour.
“I wanted to cause persons to face themselves, to feel the types of natural emotional response to a situation that they would have felt,” he explained. “For example, I wanted people to see the reactions they would have if a gay man troubled another man, if someone beat up on a homosexual or if a father talked to his child about sex and women.”
The playwright outlined his writing process, revealing that he had written the play over two weeks during his annual vacation in Trinidad and Tobago. He noted that lots of hard work and long hours had gone into the preparation, and that the audience response had made it all worthwhile.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the applause level,” Tatem stated. “I have gotten great feedback and I think persons walked away with their money’s worth.”
The play will be reprised on sister island Nevis in February.
