Lovelace: A Rock Musical

This rock opera goes a long way to rescuing its subject, Linda Boreman, from the ignominy of being forever associated with her screen persona, Linda Lovelace, and the 1972 porn film Deep Throat. The film made history for being the first to become a success in mainstream cinema and remains notorious for the act of fellatio performed by Boreman.

What’s less widely known is Boreman’s subsequent rejection of her career as a porn actress, her claim that she was forced by her then-husband to make the film and her efforts to lead a normal life as a mother thereafter. Still less known are Boreman’s origins and the sad end to her life in a car crash in 2002.

Written by Jeffery Bowman with a score (think Tommy meets Godspell) supplied by former punk rockers Charlotte Caffey (of The Go-Gos) and Anna Waronker, Lovelace deals with the above. It doesn’t shrink from Boreman’s porn career – one number is belted out when Boreman is about to be fucked on film by three men – but neither is it prurient. Katrina Lenk is excellent as Boreman, as are the rest of the cast from the original, celebrated Los Angeles run.

Udderbelly’s Pasture, 0844 545 8252, until 30 Aug (not 19), 10.35pm, £11–£14 (£10–£13).