Sanctuary ⭐⭐⭐⭐ preview 6-8-26 Pleasance Ace Dome 

Jacob Sparrow’s play is set during the AIDS crisis in the 90’s

Arriving in to the venue with the Pet Shop Boys playing takes us right back to the club days of the 90's 

Two men arrive in a kitchen one younger the other quite a bit older. They discuss Wendy’s plan to turn a disused barn in to a sanctuary for men infected by the virus. 

The towns people don’t approve including a local farmer who is terrified his cows get AIDS from drinking the filtered waste water. Highlighting the general misinformation about HIV and AIDS at the time. 

The actors Matthew Tennyson and Richard Cant play the men talking about having it. At that time the information was so bad people would disinfect glasses, use rubber gloves to pick up dishes and found contact terrifying. 

The younger man is far more resentful and hurt by it .The older resigned, he has lived and knows exactly what the younger feels. 

The play is really about love, love lost, and a fear of being in love, as it often comes crashing down when the person leaves. 

There is a lovely reveal at the end, it’s quite well signposted during the script, however this doesn’t detract from the feeling it gives you. 

This is a thoughtful play with historical references of the fear of AIDS, however it should leave you with a big smile on your face