SEX DIARIES OF AN EX-CATHOLIC - REVIEW

As we take our seats Latin choral music plays, suddenly Abigail Jensen bursts on stage and immediately breaks the fourth wall by shouting to the person at the sound desk, that she shouldn’t play the Latin stuff as this play isn’t serious.

Jensen plays Joan, a woman who was brought up catholic in the Midwest – she went to catholic school and attended mass three times per week. The play centres around her abandoning her chastity pledge at the age of 25 and exploring her sexuality. Although the show never digs deep into why she became disillusioned with Catholicism, or the repercussions of this with her family, but focuses solely on her sex life afterwards.

Catholic hymns are peppered throughout the show, with dance breaks choreographed to complement them, which adds an extra layer of amusement. Jamie Cowan plays the man that Joan loses her virginity to, in a palpably awkward scene which is impeccably directed – all of the sex scenes happen with the two (or three) stood side by side, which heightens the humour. Cowan plays a variety of sexual partners throughout the show, and Niamh McGarvey also multi roles as healthcare professionals and partners alike.

The show also speaks about contraception methods, their side effects, and their costs – because this is set in the USA. And the lack of sex education people at catholic schools receive.

Jensen plays Joan as bubbly and excitable throughout, which slightly undercuts the tone shifts when the play becomes more emotional or passionate, as her delivery doesn’t change, which makes the character lacks nuance. Some of the fourth wall breaks feel unnecessary, and some are brilliant – some fine-tuning of this would aid a more humorous and effective show.

Sex Diaries of an Ex-Catholic is funny and candid – I just wish there were some deeper dives to allow for more complex character evolvement. But it’s great to see Joan’s sexual liberation, and for it to be joyous.

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{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}

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