The Fastest Clock in the Universe *** TNT

Saturday 03 October 2009 11:48 GMT

The second half of the Hampstead’s 50th anniversary season gets off to a striking start with Edward Dicks’ classy revival of Philip Ridley’s unsettling black comedy. With its East End setting, power games and mismatched homosexual couple, there are definite shades of Pinter and Orton in this cruel, confident early work which caused quite a stir when it premiered here back in 1992.

Fear of the inevitable passage of time underpins the text as Alec Newman’s taut Cougar prepares to celebrate his 19th birthday - yet again. Despite his ostentatiously tanned, perfectly ripped body it’s clear from his dyed dark hair that there are quite a few more years on this man’s clock.

He’s actually pushing 30, but no way is he prepared to admit to - or even let anyone else mention - his true age.

His older partner Captain Tock (Finbar Lynch, excellent) is only allowed to touch him wearing pink rubber Marigolds, and even then all he’s permitted is a barely tolerated hug as they wait for the sole party guest – a 15 year old schoolboy called Foxtrot Darling whom Cougar has been carefully grooming for the event.

Mini-skirted, ballsy and with bunched blonde hair, Jaime Winstone‘s uninvited Sherbet Gravel brings a breath of fresh air into their mausoleum of a flat with its morbid collection of stuffed birds. She knows Cougar’s game – and just how to needle him.

It’s a striking debut in a nasty, violent but also very entertaining play which set out to shock in the 90's and still succeeds in doing so today.

Hampstead, Eton Avenue, NW3 3EU (020 7722 9301) until 17th October (£15-£25) Under 26 - £10