Wanderlust

by Nick Payne

Sex isn't just about how big and how long. What is it about then? All sorts of things. Joy is struggling to remain interested in sex. Her husband thinks of little else. And their teenage son is ready to burst. Nick Payne's frank and compassionate play explores sex and intimacy - and asks whether the two are inevitably and inextricably linked.

Genres: Plays

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched the TV series with Toni Collette and Steven Mackintosh, playing Joy and Alan - with the incredible Sophie Okonedo as - the tough therapist - forcing Joy to see her repetitive and destructive behaviour.

I found that to be the most interesting scene. It questioned to what degree psychologists should interfere/intervene in the patients' development. Where exactly does the line between patient autonomy and professional responsibility lie? Joy also worked as a therapist and I liked very much that the series aimed to demonstrate how professionals are just as vulnerable as the people they are hoping to help.

A very interesting set up with regard to the success of pyschotherapy - is there a place for it in people's lives? How does it actually work? The final image, of Joy's wry face - re the happy reunion with Alan - apparently not the satisfying experience she was hoping for?

A humourous look at young love, and a passing glance at gay relationships via the middle daughter.

I must get the play. For sure the TV series will have hyped up the sex angle.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5, rounded down.

Didn't even know this had been made into a TV series, but I'm trying to make my way through all of Payne's backlist. Hard to see HOW this could be staged with all the very explicit sex scenes and nudity, but apparently it mainly worked.

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/201...
https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/...

[olaszka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this in a charity shop years ago when I was going through my Nick Payne phase, then dumped it on my bookshelf and forgot I even had it. I found it by accident a few weeks after watching the Netflix show and decided to give it a go. It's hardly my favourite play by Payne, nor is it as layered and nuanced as the Toni Collette series. Still, it's a good way to spend 45 minutes as Nick Payne at his average is still better than most of his contemporaries.

[Poonam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only thing I wonder is how did they stage all those scenes. Do plays also have rating system based on content? This was staged by The Royal Court theater of England.

[Chambers Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sexy.
Nick Payne lets it all hang out with this one.
Love it!

[Yuri Bilyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really wandering how did they stage it all?

I found all the characters lighthearted even in their "cheating" phase. Except the teenage son - who sort of a dick in all senses, almost until the very last page, when he suddenly becomes sympathetic too.

Glad that i read it, gives a very warm feeling.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good but I preferred the TV series adaptation.

[James Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the play but I loved the television series starring Toni Collette, Steven Mackintosh, Emma D'Arcy, Royce Pierreson, Zawe Ashton, and Sophie Okonedo plus so many other terrific actors. I only decided to read the play because I love the television series so much and I was curious about the source material.

If I had to sum it up I'd say the play is a sketch and the television series is the finished painting. The core story is the same for both. It's about Joy and Allan a married couple having problems sustaining the passion in their marriage. Efforts are made to spice up their relationship and the possibility of an affair complicates matters. In the Television series, a lot of additional characters are added and there are multiple plot lines. The fifth episode of the series is one of the best hours of television I've ever seen. If you're a writer I'd highly recommend reading the play and watching the series because it's a fascinating opportunity to see how a stage play can be expanded into a more complex and compelling story.