A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

Sex Cells

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  4w, 1m

Anna Longaretti

Set in the busy call centre for a sex toy manufacturer, Sex Cells is a funny, poignant play about motherhood, friendship, love and loss.

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Sex Cells

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

In a busy call centre, the four female employees of Aphrodite, a sex toy manufacturer, take telephone orders for Teasey Maids, Titivators and rotating pearl g-strings. Beneath the cheerful customer service and easy banter, however, these very different women nurse their own desires and disappointments. Sylvie is desperate to have a baby, but her single-minded approach is taking its toll on her marriage and causing friction with her coworkers. With five children, Janice rarely finds time for herself or her husband. Tiffany is young and single, looking for “the one”, but wary of sacrificing her independence. Star employee Lily, meanwhile, is stuck in a loveless marriage and estranged from her son, but buries her pain in wisecracks and work. Their gentle and innocent manager, Mr Causeway, attempts to diffuse the tension between his staff while suppressing a longstanding crush on the oblivious Lily. Sex Cells is a very funny, poignant play about motherhood, friendship, love and loss.

History
Sex Cells was first produced by Anna Denton for Coy Content at the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London in October 2013. Directed by James Barry, the production featured Jean Perkins, Alison Pargeter, Kate Russell-Smith, Serena Giacomini and Tom Butcher.
Keywords
Performing Groups
LILY, 65. Her dress is shapeless and nondescript and her hair is pinned to keep the curl in. She wears pop socks and changes into slippers when she gets to work.
SYLVIE, 39. French (with an accent), slim build, smartly dressed and immaculately groomed.
JANICE, 38. She has a Northern accent, is unintentionally dishevelled (as the main objective was to look glamorous) and looks like she is wearing clothes that she bought when she was younger and slimmer. Her massive handbag is always overflowing.
TIFFANY, 29, slim, Essex girl fashion and accent.
MR CAUSEWAY, 55. A beanpole of a man. He is old-fashioned in his dress and manner. He wears a thick ribbed cardigan with pockets. He is hardly ever without a cup of tea on the go.
  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting

    The dingy call center for Aphrodite, a sex toy manufacturer. The present.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language

Media

“Tender and intelligent comedy... two hours of easy-watching drama. A rare achievement indeed.” – WhatsOnStage

“Tender and intelligent comedy... writer Anna Longaretti manages this risk skillfully, taking advantage of the sexy environment to win several laughs (dildos come in small, medium or liar) without ever neglecting the important emotional threads that lend the play its charm and momentum... The writing has a maturity and discipline that bodes well for Longaretti as an emerging playwright. She articulates heavy emotions exceedingly well, and playfully undercuts it all with some delicious wry humour. The result is two hours of easy-watching drama. A rare achievement indeed.” – WhatsOnStage

“There are lots of laughs, but also drama and tragedy in Longaretti's script... will surely please audiences.” – WhatsOnStage

"Snappy, spitfire dialogue... Despite the provocative title, Anna Longaretti’s play is a relatively low-key, intimate dramedy.” – Stage Whispers

Videos

  • Watch the Sex Cells trailer youtube thumbnail

    Watch the Sex Cells trailer

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Anna Longaretti

Anna Longaretti

Anna Longaretti wrote Sex Cells in 2012 after many years of writing screenplays. In 2013 it premiered at the Riverside Studios. During its month-long run, she was overjoyed to hear audiences laughing… and crying. Sex Cells is a very personal piece of work, influenced by her f ...

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