Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes

Alice Snaden and Matthew Edison in Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes - Photo by Joy von Tiedemann.

Desire triumphs over good judgment in Hannah Moscovitch's new play Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes, a story about a student-teacher romance, now playing at Tarragon Theatre. 

The story follows Jon (Matthew Edison), a university professor and famous author trying to pick up the pieces of his life after a third divorce. He finds himself admiring one of his students, Annie (Alice Snaden), otherwise known as the "girl in the red coat," who happens to be a huge fan of his work, and conveniently lives down the street from him. Somehow, as if pulled by an unknown force, Jon finds himself running into her more often than is appropriate. 

Narrated in the third person by Jon, Moscovitch brings the audience inside the head of a man trying desperately to make sense of his longing and justify what he knows well to be unprofessional behaviour. We hear him describe each encounter with Annie, a meek yet strangely beguiling character, as if it is happening to someone else. The story is told from Jon's perspective, yet we get the feeling that he is not actually the one in control. 

Director Sarah Garton Stanley's production is tightly paced, as the performers open and shut doors against the background of Miquelon Rodriguez's stiring sound design, and come together in some of the most intensely intimate scenes I've seen on stage. Edison and Snaden are brilliant together, bringing Moscovitch's wryly observational text to life in convincing and potent performances that will keep you guessing right until the final lines are spoken.

In the context of our post #metoo era, this play couldn't be more relevant. But Moscovitch doesn't hit us over the head with her message. It sneaks up on us gradually and before we know it we're caught firmly in its trap.

Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes runs until February 9th, 2020 at Tarragon Theatre. Visit tarragontheatre.com for more information and buy tickets.