Presented by Slice of Life Productions, London (Premiere)

Tuesday, 3rd May - Saturday, 7th May (Written and Directed by Alex Baker)
T@36 Teachers Club - International Shorts at 8pm + 3pm Saturday. Tickets 12 euro (2 plays)

Three men - Three outlooks - Three temperaments - One Living Space!

'Say Sorry' is an uncompromising major new play that exposes society's big little secret - domestic abuse in gay relationships. Christian is Mr Average, or is he? He has a good job and a nice home, which he shares with his best straight friend, Colin. All that is missing is the man of his dreams. Then he meets Steven, a complex soul with a thick veneer that hides a heart of gold who soon moves in with them. A happy ending should be on the cards, but with three different men living together cracks soon begin to surface, quickly followed by jealousy, threats, and ultimately, terrible violence … Before long it's too late to Say Sorry.

About The Company

Slice Of Life Productions is the brainchild of Alex Baker and was borne out of the need for theatre to address forgotten or too often ignored social issues. 'Say Sorry' is their first production.

Since 2003 SOL have been helping the Metropolitan Police Force with their domestic violence initiative, and have been earmarked by the Met' for other projects.

'Say Sorry' is their first production, it deals with the unseen, unspoken horror of our times - domestic violence, Alex Barker, the power-horse behind the company wants to go where theatre seldom dates:

"Our aim is to tackle social issues that are too often forgotten by the society in which we live!"

In May SOL previewed their new show at the Brighton Fringe Festival and gave five performances of 'Say Sorry' to an enthusiastic audience at The Nightingale Theatre and was delighted to be part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

SOL have come a long way in a short time and with Alex, busy writing projects on Stranger Danger, (a show that aims to protect young children), to a piece that explores the issue of homelessness you can expect many more things to come from SOL in the years to come.

Cast + Crew

Neil Harris (CHRISTIAN), Alex Baker (STEVEN) , Craig Henderson (COLIN)

Stage Manager,Lighting & Sound : Cleo Maynard
Producer : Alex Baker
Director : Neil Harris

Show Reviews

"The festival showed its teeth and its depth in a riveting production from London's Slice of Life Productions. The play centres around the interaction of roommates - a gay guy (Christian) and his straight best friend (Colin). Christian's lover (Steven) who moves in and proves three is a crowd. It's a tale of secrecy – the cost of failing to come out, abuse of power, violence and death. It doesn't pull its punches, but doesn't rub your face in it just for the shock value – it deals with the issue. Alex Baker's script makes a real effort to get under the skin of the exploited and the exploiter. It works. You will recognise many elements of the haracterisation, the gay guy who doesn't pay his way, who steals, who is convinced that every straight guy is gay anyway, etc. My only criticism is that maybe he tries to redeem Steven a bit too much in the (obvious) remorse shown in the finale – stop crying Steven - phone an ambulance! Director Neil Harris is more than on top of his brief in the technical presentation. An impressive set (for a touring company) and efficient technicals were a very pleasing accomplishment. Neil Harris also takes on the role of the victim, Christian, and in this his performance is extraordinary. His ability to convey the sense of senseless actions, to justify the intolerable, and to continue to see the initial love through blackened eyes and broken ribs, to cry (inaudibly) for help, to attempt to stand up for his self respect, is very moving. His emotional range and sense of inadequacy was compelling. Bully boy Steven (Alex Baker) was a vain, egotistical, controlling lush and parasite. He dominated, despite a mellowness of vocal tone. He psychologically manipulated and in intimate surroundings made the violent scenes real. The "himbo with a heart" straight role had depth and a warm secure sensitivity in a straight man relating to a gay friend. Good playing by Craig Henderson turned what could have been a tokenistic role into one that had strengths and meaning. One can't help wondering though why he didn't follow up on Christian after he had left, considering he had jumped to his physical defence so loyally? Perhaps the "passage of time" between Colin's departure and the end could be shortened to maintain the sincerity of the support offered by Colin to Christian? This was a thought provoking "three hander" that hadn't a weak link. Its strengths were equally in its writing, direction and performances. A very worthy guest in the festival, but they didn't get the audiences they deserved. I can only speculate that that may be because they weren't known here – because they most definitely delivered the goods. A riveting piece of cutting edge theatre. A highlight!"- Gordon Farrell, Scene City - June 2005