In the heart of late-nineties London, a quartet of strangers are drawn together by chance, passion and temptation. As relationships shift and loyalties are tested, a tangled web of love and duplicity transforms into a dangerous game where desire and deception blur the lines between intimacy and betrayal.
The Olivier award-winning work follows the lives of out-of-towner Alice, photographer Anna, obituary writer Dan and dermatologist Larry over several years as they meet, bond, separate and move on.
Patrick Marber’s Closer is a provocative, witty and emotionally devastating play that views love and sex like politics: it’s not what you say that matters, still less what you mean, but what you do. It is a brilliant exploration of the brutal anatomy of modern romance, and the painful truths we hide from those we love. A modern classic, 2026 marks 22 years since the Oscar-winning film adaptation starring Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman, Jude Law and Clive Owen hit cinemas and 29 years since the play premiered at London’s Royal National Theatre.
Powderkeg Players — the St. Albans community theatre company whose motto is “theatre that lights a fuse” bring Marber’s Olivier and Tony-nominated modern classic to the stage this September, directed by Del Jordan and assistant directed by Jarrod Hawn.
The production stars Jordyn Grubisic as Alice, Wayne Gleeson as Larry, Tully Jones as Anna, and James Hammond as Dan, navigating the play’s unflinching look at attraction, jealousy and betrayal across twelve interlocking scenes.
With a fast-paced story told throughout several years, this production will set the scene with bright projections that will immerse audiences in each setting. To help set the mood, this production will also be infusing a memorable 90s trip-hop soundtrack, featuring artists such as Portishead and Massive Attack, alongside original jazz-inspired music made specifically for the show.
Content warning: this production contains coarse language and mature themes, including scenes of a sexual nature.
September 4 – 19
To book: https://powderkegplayers.com/shows/
