Dark comedic play about Tyneside sex industry returns to stage
Following a string of sold-out debut performances at The Cluny in June this year, the hilarious new play, Sex Is Hard WorkSex Is Hard Work has announced it will return to the venue for a special one-off performance on Thursday 19th August ahead of a UK tour planned for 2022.
The Newcastle show will be followed by its debut outside of the North East with several performances scheduled at the iconic Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a show at London’s celebrated indie theatre venue, The Vault Theatre in the Autumn.
Following snippets of the escort's unique life as a sex worker, the play is filled with personal memories, revealing the weird and wonderful requests customers placed upon her while also giving the audience a glimpse into parts of the sex industry that is rarely seen on stage or screen.
Alison Stanley has previously written and performed in two sell-out plays at Edinburgh Fringe (Bedsocks and Secrets in 2016 and Life of Reilly in 2019) and she says her team are excited to replicate their previous success at the festival in 2021.
Known for the risque nature of the festival programme, Edinburgh Fringe is set to be a perfect home for the play after its successful launch in Newcastle earlier this year.
LOR Productions' 'Sex is Hard Work', inspired by the book of the same name, sheds light on what life is really like for a UK sex worker, telling the story of a former Tyneside escort.
Brought to life by Alison Stanley, serial North East playwright, actress and Writer of the Year finalist at the 2018 Culture Awards, Sex Is Hard Work reveals the hidden world of prostitution as seen through the eyes of its lead character. Both dark and hilarious in equal measure, the hard-hitting play earned standing ovations and several glowing reviews from the region’s theatre critics.
Commenting on the success of the play's opening shows early in the summer, co-founder of LOR PRODUCTIONS and the Life of Reilly theatre production company, Alison Stanley said: “The audience was absolutely amazing and thoroughly enjoyed the show. I was honestly so blown away by the fantastic feedback and reviews that we received.
“I wrote Sex Is Hard Work as a comedy but I also wanted it to be moving and thought-provoking. I got the impression that the audience wasn’t expecting this from the play and left with food for thought.
“I think the positive reaction was in part thanks to the subject matter. It intrigued the audience and once we scratched beneath the surface they were let into a whole new world, peeking into the sex industry as it really is and giving them something to think and reflect on.”
As the play is being brought back due to popular demand, Stanley encourages those who missed the play’s debut to book soon as tickets are already selling fast.
She added: “If you didn’t catch the play for the first time, get your tickets now, you won’t regret it. And don’t just take my word for it - check out the reviews; they really do speak for themselves!
“If you have seen the play before, please come again! We are in the pilot stages of the show so we have added a number of new scenes that really push the boundaries that little bit further - prepare to be shocked!”
Sex is Hard Work will take place on the 19th August at Cluny 2 in Newcastle. Tickets will be priced at ÂŁ10.00 per show, plus the normal booking fees, and are available via this link: https://thecluny.com/listing/sex-is-hard-work/