Published 28 January 2010
by HOWARD LOXTON

THE title of John Guare’s play comes from the idea that it takes only six connections between people to link you with everyone else in the world – but, though such connections are behind the plot, they are not really what this play is all about. 

Rather, it is a story, based on a real case, about a young con-man who presents himself to wealthy New Yorkers not only as a college friend of their children’s but as the son of actor Sidney Poitier. 
Fashionable Eastside art dealer Flan and his wife Ouisa (suave Anthony Head and stylish Lesley Manville) are entertaining a South African multi-millionaire when Paul turns up asking for their help after a claimed mugging in Central Park. 
Will his charm, culinary skills and offer to get them small roles in his dad’s movie version of Cats win the con-man the trust of his victims?
In real life, people were taken in, and Obi Abili’s charismatic performance makes him seem engaging and genuine. 
However, the response of his victims is partly fuelled by their token liberalism and a rapport so lacking with their own children. The deal is clinched when Paul’s presence helps to secure a painting sale to the South African, who is beautifully played by Ian Redford. 
These initial victims are not the only ones taken in. When a pair of naïve kids from Utah get involved there are some very serious repercussions. 
This is a play with lots of laughs, some very surprising moments and darker undertones. 
We see the greed when Flan’s smooth mask is stripped away and the sadness for what is lacking in Ouisa’s life, and many will nod in agreement at the exposure of the falsity of their liberal values. But, though a speech from Paul about the transformative power of the imagination may be part of his con act, the play’s pseudo-philosophising seems to merely to add a veneer of “serious theatre” rather than play an integral part in the proceedings. 
After an awkward and harshly-lit opening, David Grindley’s production runs very smoothly against Jonathan Fensom’s black and red banded set, an elegant sofa on a revolve representing both opulent Manhattan and grassy Central Park. It is hardly a classic piece of American theatre, but well-executed by this large cast it is an engaging 90 minutes, played without an interval.
Until April 3 
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