A lot of fast-talking and complicated relationships in Bluewater Playhouse's "Talking Dirty"

There's a lot of fast-talking and complicated relationships in the Bluewater Summer Playhouse production of "Talking Dirty" which opened Tuesday night at the Kincardine Arts Centre.

Written in the 1980s by Sherman Snukal, the play's take on romance and sex is as relevant as it was 30 years ago.

The show focuses on two friends, Michael Kaye and David Lerner. Michael has broken up with his girlfriend and they now have an "amicable arrangement," while David has been married for a long, long time (all of eight years!) and is looking to have an affair while he is "away" at a conference.

Ben Hayward as Michael and Neil Silcox as David are superbly funny. Their comedic timing is excellent as they talk so fast, it takes all your concentration to keep up.

Enter Ali Joy Richardson as Beth Gordon, Michael's former girlfriend - someone he still cares for, but can't seem to agree to marry. And then Hannah Jack as Karen Sperling, who has her sights set on Michael but agrees to have an affair with David.

Are you confused yet?

Well, then, in walks Alanna Boucher as Jacqueline Lemieux, iridescent in pink jeans and an orange top, who was at a party down the hall, but her back hurts and she needs someone to assist her in taking away the pain. She lies on the living room floor and begins doing Kinergetics, much to the surprise of both men, and later both women.

All the action takes place in Michael's apartment, with all five people coming and going at a quick pace.

As the relationships become more complicated, you almost have to take notes to keep track of who's with whom and who wants to be with whom, and who has already been with whom. Otherwise, you're lost.

In the end, emotions reach a fever pitch, someone ends up with a black eye and as the truth hits the fan, you end up back where you started, with Michael, in his apartment.

It's a beautifully crafted play, full of great dialogue and terrific action, perfectly played by this cast of five.

The packed crowd at opening night certainly enjoyed the show, giving it a standing ovation.

Of note, playwright Snukal and his family were in the audience Tuesday night and he said it was a very strong production.

"I've seen this play produced many times over the years," he said, "and this is one of the best I've seen."

Before the play began, Bluewater artistic director Ralph Small, who directed the play, said "Talking Dirty" opened Aug. 6, 1986, at the Muskoka Theatre in Gravenhurst, and he was in that play.

"That's where I met my wife, Suzanne Bennett, back stage," he said. "This play is just as relevant today as it was 30 years ago; however, there is some viewer discretion advised."

He said all five actors in this production are acting students of his from the University of Toronto and Sheridan College.

"Talking Dirty" continues at the Kincardine Arts Centre, Aug. 11, 12, 16, 17, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m., Aug. 13 and 20 at 9 p.m., and one more matinee Aug. 17 at 2 p.m.

For ticket information, contact the Bluewater Summer Playhouse Box Office at 707 Queen Street, or call the Box Office at 519-396-5722. You can also purchase tickets on-line at the website www.bluewatersummerplayhouse.com.