What happens when our deepest urges are shrouded in secrecy? What happens when we can’t articulate our desires, even to ourselves? Close Enough to Touch follows a man who has a girlfriend … and many secrets. In this gripping, intimate drama, audiences are taken into the world of cruising – anonymous sex in public places. The play swings between passion, humour and pathos as we watch a young man struggle to find pleasure, acceptance and, crucially, the language to express himself.
Henry Roberts’ play explores hidden desires, and asks how long we can keep a secret before the world catches up.
The play previously performed at Theatre 503 in London and the script was longlisted in the RSC’s 37 Plays project.
Written by Henry Roberts
Directed by Cheryl Martin
“A raw, empathetic, and intelligent piece on the challenges we still face with the ambiguity of our sexuality and the added complexity regarding our relationship to masculinity.” - A Youngish Perspective
"Roberts' writing does an exceptional job of knowing exactly what the audience wants and when they want it …” - Adventures in Theatreland
Pre-show poetry reading
There will be a short pre-show poetry reading by Roma Havers - a queer poet, theatre-maker and unsolicited go-go dancer. They are known for their ‘joyful, communal and tender’ work. They have been published in Ink Sweat and Tears, Verve Poetry Prize (Shortlisted), The North and Under the Radar. They were winner of the 2024 Northern Writers’ Award for Poetry with The Natural Way, their first collection with Carcanet Press.