MSM

Synopsis

Steam rises from tiled floors, bodies move in shadow, a world of whispers and fleeting touches.

John, a middle-aged accountant, steps hesitantly into the dim light of a London gay sauna. In this liminal space where desire and identity collide, a cast of men from all walks of life reveal their most intimate truths. A young banker wrestles with shame, an ageing drag queen searches for connection, while a married father of three seeks release from societal constraints. As their stories intertwine, the sauna becomes a crucible for raw honesty and unexpected tenderness.

Lloyd Newson’s MSM (Men Seeking Men) pulses with the urgency of verbatim theatre and the grace of contemporary dance. Based on real interviews, this provocative piece peels back layers of masculinity and sexuality with unflinching courage. Newson’s signature blend of text and movement captures both the furtive glances and soaring hopes of his subjects. Humour and heartbreak intermingle as freely as the bodies on stage, challenging audiences to confront their own preconceptions about love, lust, and human connection in all its messy glory.