De Sade shocker to hit Scotland
 

Jun 11 2004

By Mark Mcgivern

AN EXPLICIT X-rated play showing hard-core sex scenes is set to shock theatre-goers in Scotland.

The show, XXX, which will run at this year's Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, depicts rape and incest.

The sex scenes have been branded the most explicit ever seen on stage in Britain and the play was investigated by police after its only previous UK production.

Audience members in London complained of live sex on stage but police did not prosecute as the scenes were simulated.

XXX, which will be shown at the Pleasance Theatre, has already shocked audiences across Europe.

Performed by experimental Spanish troupe La Fura Dels Baus (Fury of the Sewers), the play features scenes of nudity, torture and genital mutilation against a video backdrop of simulated sex with animals.

An adaptation of the Marquis de Sade's 18th century book Philosophy In The Bedroom, the two-hour show has sparked outrage among audiences.

But a spokesman said: 'The sex scenes look very real but it is all done using prosthetics. We do expect it to sell out.'

The line-up for this year's Fringe has all the ingredients to shock fans.

Shows such as Guantanamo Baywatch and The BBC, Andrew Gilligan And Me will turn a questioning eye on world events.

Fringe director Paul Gudgin said despite big names such as comics Paul Merton, Mark Thomas and Nancy Cartwright the voice of Bart Simpson there would be the odd 'dash of controversy'.

He said: 'It has lost none of its mojo. It is still young, fresh, exciting and vigorous.'

Venues include a Maserati car, with room for three people, and an Indian restaurant.

First Minister Jack McConnell said the eyes of the world would be on Edinburgh. He added: 'There is simply nothing like it anywhere else.'