Working in one of the South Coast’s most infamous and popular “saunas” where gay men come to socialise, flirt and live out their fantasies sounds like it could be a young guy’s dream job, with hot guys on tap. When Dan, arrives working as a receptionist/cleaner and is soon elevated to Manager Daddy aka Alan the sauna owner recognises potential when he sees it. As a manager surely there are potential perks of the job!
SAUNA BOY written and performed by Dan Ireland-Reeves takes the audience on a first-hand journey into the world of working in the sauna from his personal experiences. Which explains the level of detail and knowledge crammed into the play.
However, Dan is restricted by one rule as the sauna manager. Which is DO NOT socialise with the staff! He is told to be their manager, not their friend. Will Dan listen or will his secret Wednesday nights remain a secret?
The bright lights of reception to the blue mood room lighting are described with such clarity that you feel you are experiencing the tour alongside Dan. However, his dream job is hampered by Daddy the Sauna boss who proves to be a narcissistic control freak and nobody can ever please him even when they are running at full capacity!
SAUNA BOY is certainly not for anyone with a weak stomach as Dan is completely open about everything his job as a manager involves from meeting and greeting the sauna’s clients to cleaning the “Gloryhole” room. Sexual attraction, sleazy clients and unexpected problems mean that no two shifts are the same, Dan learns to expect the unexpected.
However, this level of high energy and long working hours is likely to be unsustainable long term. As Dan begins to mentally rejoin the “real world” he knows something has to change. Once you learn how to breathe once again nothing can go back to how it was.
For more information about Sauna Boy please use the link below.
Five Stars.
Photo credit Richard Lambert.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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