Patrick Marber’s play Closer is a poignant and intense exploration of modern love and betrayal. The play follows the intertwining lives of four characters over four and a half years, revealing the intricacies and complexities of their relationships. The characters are Alice, a young American stripper; Dan, a failed novelist turned obituary writer; Anna, an enigmatic photographer; and Larry, a dermatologist. The play comprises 12 intense scenes that showcase the raw emotions and desires of each character.

Set in London at the end of the 20th century, Closer begins with Dan rescuing Alice after she’s hit by a car. The two embark on a passionate love affair, but Dan soon meets Anna and becomes infatuated with her. Anna is hesitant at first, but eventually succumbs to Dan’s advances and they begin a relationship. Meanwhile, Larry, who’s never met any of the other characters, meets Anna online and they begin an affair as well.

As the play progresses, the characters become more entangled in each other’s lives and the relationships become increasingly complex. Betrayals and secrets abound, and the characters are forced to confront the harsh realities of love and lust.

Throughout the play, Marber’s writing is spare and intense, capturing the raw emotions and desires of the characters with precision and sensitivity. The dialogue is at times coarse and obscene, but always calls for real vulnerability and sensitivity in the acting.

Closer premiered at the National Theatre in 1997, where it won the Olivier Award for Best New Play. It went on to be a critical and commercial success on Broadway, winning several Tony Awards including Best Play. The play has been produced around the world, and was adapted into a film in 2004 starring Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen and Jude Law.