San Diego Reader

In Nona Shepphard's comedy, Val's a radical lesbian feminist convinced that marriage is an ancient, patriarchal institution. Her partner of seven years, Jenaya, is a middle-class lawyer who has concealed her sexual preference from her Hindu family. When the British government passes the Civil Partnership Act, which recognizes and gives rights to gay and lesbian partnerships, the should's and should not's stack up swiftly. For Diversionary Theatre, director Rosina Reynolds has crafted a charming two-hander with deft theatrical touches, including shadow- and real puppets. Craig Noel Award-winner Dana Hooley (Val) and a sprightly Dre Slaman (Jenaya) perform in, on, and around a prominent four-poster bed. Accentuated by Jennifer Brawn Gittings's excellent costumes, Val and Jenaya are at once diverse -- the one extroverted, the latter, intro- -- and a keenly matched pair.