Fuck, fuck, fuck

Shopping & Fucking reviewed

If you think happiness is a platinum Master Card, don’t see Mark Ravenhill’s controversial play, Shopping And Fucking. Then again, maybe you should.

Director Jim Millan, of Crow’s Theatre, has assembled an amazing cast to bring this thought-provoking, horror story to life.

It’s an intellectually ambitious play, cutting contemporary society down to its rational, bone-chilling core, postulating that the only idea, the only myth, of any value today, is money.

And while Ravenhill’s script is less than totally satisfying, this hip and sexy production delivers some very smart – and very gay – ruminations on the directionless yearnings of consumers (and sex-pigs and drug addicts, alike).

Thankfully, Shopping And Fucking doesn’t fall into the Quentin Tarentino school of violent cynicism. Though totally amoral in subject, Shopping And Fucking is a plea to reintroduce compassion into our political economy.

Shopping And Fucking continues until Sat, Feb 20 at the du Maurier Theatre Centre (231 Queens Quay W). Tix are $15 to $30; call (416) 973-4000.

The contributor photo for Gordon Bowness

Gordon Bowness (he/him) is the executive editor of Xtra. With a 30-year career covering the LGBTQ2S+ community, Gordon is also the founding editor of Go Big magazine and In Toronto (now In Magazine). He is an English speaker and lives in Toronto.

Read More About:
Culture, Europe, Toronto

Keep Reading

The cover of 'I Remember Lights'; Ben Ladouceur

‘I Remember Lights’ is a time machine trip to Montreal’s gay past

Ben Ladouceur’s rigorously researched new novel is romantic, harrowing and transportive
A black and white photo of speakers at a rally; a sign that says "Love and Let Love" hangs behind them

‘Parade’ invites us to embrace queer history to tackle the present

Noam Gonick’s new documentary turns the spotlight on Canada’s long-overlooked LGBTQ2S+ activists to tell their stories
Countess Luann holding a microphone

Countess Luann on cabaret superstardom, Kenya Moore and life after ‘The Real Housewives’

“Elegance is learned, my friends,” and the Countess’s class is in session
Sam Star with an up arrow behind her; Onya Nurve with a down arrow behind her

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 17, Episode 13 power ranking: A frozen final five

No one goes home this week, with one in-season competition episode remaining