SOURCE: "Sex Puzzle," in The Spectator, Vol. 242, No. 7865, 7 April 1979, pp. 25-6.

Cloud Nine was a collaborative effort between Churchill and the Joint Stock Company, whose director was Max Stafford-Clark. It received its first performances in the English provinces before moving to London's Royal Court Theatre; later, a slightly revised version of the play was presented in a New York production directed by Tommy Tune. In the following evaluation of a London performance, Jenkins offers a mixed opinion of the play, finding it moving at times but obscure in its overall meaning.

Joint Stock starts with the acting. The style has become established, almost stylised, but is still quite different to what most theatre goers are used to seeing. The actors have helped to shape the characters they are acting, from outside as well as from the inside; in effect they have helped to write the play. In part...