"Of all the sexual aberrations, perhaps the most peculiar is chastity"
- Remy de Gourmont

James Boswell, the friend of Dr Samuel Johnson, is tortured by his inability to control his desires, especially where women are concerned. He aims to marry his cousin, Margaret, but the temptations of the flesh assure that Boswell’s path toward her will be neither straight nor narrow…

Concordance presents the world premiere of a witty and thought- provoking new play by a new American playwright. The production of Natural Inclinations is created by the UK's most exciting young theatre practitioners including:

Director Steven Little has recently completed a year as director on attachment at the Royal National Theatre Studio through the Quercus Bursary including taking part in Peter Brook's directors workshop and assisting Patrick Marber on Howard Katz and Sir Peter Hall on Bacchai (RNT). Other credits include Assistant Director for Guys and Dolls (Crucible Theatre, Sheffield) and Staff Director during the 1999 and 2000 seasons at Chichester Festival Theatre which included directing Alexander Gelman's A Man with Connections which also transferred to the Finborough Theatre and the Arches Theatre, Glasgow in a co-production with his own company Theatre Informer.

Designer Nicolai Hart-Hansen has won acclaim for his innovative designs including most recently for Tom Kempinski's Season of New Plays at the New End.

Producer Neil McPherson has been Artistic Director of the Finborough Theatre since 1999. He has presented over twenty productions in London and the regions including the hugely successful long-overdue London premiere of Larry Kramer's The Destiny of Me

The Press on Natural Inclinations
"Natural Inclinations give rise to a terrific evening...it is enormously refreshing these days to hear a play that not only flatters one in that it assumes one has a brain, yet further flatters one in that it assumes one uses it. Natural Inclinations is just such an evening….a refreshing evening in the theatre….Kristin Milward glistens with venomous seduction. The Earl of Eglinton too is a vile charmer, and in the powerful hands of Oliver Senton can chill the spine as well as fascinate. …a sensitive performance by Megan Fisher… As Boswell, Simon Muller is….like the young Dirk Bogarde. The coup of the evening however, belongs to Ralph Watson in the two roles of Boswell's father Lord Auchinleck and Samuel Johnson ….It has been a long time since I have seen a Fringe production so handsomely dressed with costumes bordering on Shaftesbury Avenue quality. I would urge you to go to see this play. It complements your intelligence, it is delightful to look at and a joy to hear. It is also one of the few plays you will see that is almost entirely underscored with music specially composed for the event and beautifully played." Paul Nelson, Indie London

"There can be no doubt that Natural Inclinations, as presented by Concordance at the Finborough Theatre and directed by Steven Little, is entertaining, intriguing and utterly free of banalities. By the standards of theatres beyond the West End, it is an exceptional piece of production, with its BBC wigs, live music and striking set design by Nicolai Hart-Hansen. It also benefits from some strong performances from Ralph Watson as both Johnson and Boswell’s father, and Oliver Senton on preening, wicked form as the not-so-good Earl. They make the most of the marvellous characters created by [Roger] Kirby, with Johnson inventing so many aphorisms that he forgets which ones are his, and Eglinton offering Boswell a wager of five guineas that he can deflower the virtuous Margaret. Simon Muller makes a believably baffled but ambitious young literary lion…. An audience looking for titillation and intrigue won’t be disappointed…. Natural Inclinations marks a highly promising debut from an already assured and capable writer." Michael Caines, Theatreworld Internet Magazine

"Whoring and boozing can be hard work if you are afflicted with a conscience…..In Natural Inclinations, Roger Kirby has taken a clutch of historic, bookish figures and given them fresh dramatic existence. So much more than chronicled re-enactment, his play is a richly intelligent and witty exploration of the influence of free will and liberty over the affairs of the mind and the heart. ….Simon Muller's frantic and malleable Boswell is driven on in pursuit of carnal pleasures by fellow bawds Earl of Eglinton and the physically accommodating Mrs Leonora Donne…. ….two show-stealing performances by Oliver Senton as the commandingly cocksure Eglinton, and a deliciously rambunctious Samuel Johnson, played by Ralph Watson. Mia Flodquist's lush costumes and Nicolai Hart-Hansen's perspective set provide subtle support to their performances and give this production an assuredly coloured authenticity." Rochard Stearn, Time Out

"Little's direction allows the actors to delve deeply into their roles as possible, resulting in some fine performances. Simon Muller is particularly engaging as the troubled and misguided Boswell. But it's Ralph Watson's double duty as Bossie's Father Lord Auchinleck and mentor Dr Samuel Johnson that brings all the pieces together. The numerous scenes in which he and Miller share the stage as father and son or student and mentor, featuring much friendly banter, tomfoolery and crisp dialogue punctuated by witty observations and crisp one liners. This is a tale about gratification in all spheres of human activity…." Ian Maxen, What's On in London

"Neatly staged….Steven Little achieving - with the aid of designer Nicolai Hart-Hansen - a stylish production which even incorporates two musicians…Simon Muller has considerable presence as Boswell, continually tempted by Oliver Senton's lubricious Earl of Eglinton" Peter Hepple, The Stage

"The intellectually engrossing story of a young man who is torn between staying true to his loved one or true to his base desires. Set in 18th century aristocratic Britain, the whole cultural and moral system is vividly depicted, giving one a real sense of being there…confirms the Finborough’s reputation as one of London’s leading writing venues." Amoy Ing, Londoneasy.com

"A finely-structured and increasingly involving drama. The dilogue is stimulating, given performances as good as these" Timothy Ramsden, Reviewsgate.com