I’ve never saw the hugely popular tv show The Wire, but knew enough of it to recognise lead Dominic West. When I saw he was going to be in a play on West End of course I jumped at the chance to go see it – without even reading what the play was about! Rehana was my willing accomplice.

Butley is revival of a play from the 1970s about an alcoholic English lecturer Butley, played by West, who loses his wife, and as we find out later, his male lover in the same day. He is both a bully and a coward, self-destructive, hypocritical and yet strangely charming. I couldn’t help be lured in by West’s energetic and lunacy! Seriously.

Centering around an English lecturer the play is very very wordy so you can’t check your brain at the door. I think it kind of helps if you had studied some English literature as there are many references during the play to various pieces. There must have been some English teachers or professors in the crowd tonight because there were certainly some rather outrageous and over the top laughter at particular moments that you suspect were insider joke moments.

The cast was very impressive and everyone really embraced his or her character. West and his timid male “lover”, played by Martin Hutson. The play itself was incredibly witty but as I said you have to concentrate to make sure you catch everything.

Overall an entertaining evening all around.