SEX, dishonesty and betrayal come to the fore as strangers become lovers – and lovers become strangers – in a play at the Old Mill Theatre this June.

Written by Patrick Marber and directed by Trevor Dhu, Closer explores the raw nerve of pain that comes with the territory of love as the romantic lives of four characters intertwine in contemporary London.

Over four years, Dan, Alice, Larry and Anna pursue their own desires as lives collide and fates change in an instant with each character crossing the line between love and sex and then lust.

Closer won the 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for best new play and has been translated into 30 languages and produced in more than 200 cities across the world.

In 2004, Marber adapted the play into a film featuring Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen. He also wrote the screenplay for Notes on a Scandal.

“Closer is like watching life through a voyeuristic point of view and sharing the sex, lust and loss,” Dhu said.

“Everyone loses – one character doesn’t want to have a relationship again and another marries on a premise, not love.

“Another character disappears, preferring a life of chance, and then someone else ends up alone, regretting a return to mundane life.

“Getting the actors to perform realistically and confront a difficultly-written play with so many scene changes is the main challenge.

“The method required by the actors needs to draw on some aspect of their past, not be a contrived style of acting.”

Involved in the performing arts for as long as he can remember, Dhu has worked with Patch and Playhouse Theatres, Perth City Ballet and did extensive professional work with the Australian Dance Theatre in the eastern states.

More recently, he has directed, choreographed and acted in various productions at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre – most notably West Side Story and Jesus Christ Superstar – and also performed and directed at Harbour, Roleystone, Old Mill and Melville Theatres.

Last year, Dhu directed Summer of the Seventeenth Doll at the Old Mill Theatre, winner of several Milly Awards.

“Closer interested me because it kind of reflected a difficult period in my life,” he said.

“I wanted to express this somehow and an international author recommended Patrick Marber’s play to me.”

Closer plays at 8pm June 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 and 25 with 2pm matinees June 12 and 19. Tickets are $25, $20 concession – book at http://oldmilltheatre.com.au/tickets or on 9367 8719. Please note: the play features strong adult language and themes.

The heritage-listed Old Mill Theatre is on the corner of Mends Street and Mill Point Road, South Perth (opposite the Windsor Hotel and Australia Post).