Keeping Your Spots is a witty one-man play written and performed by Joshua J. Jewkes. Jewkes plays Jared, Acting Supervisor at Harpers Infidelity Hotline, which is exactly what it suggests: a company that offers consultation services and guidance to people looking to cheat on their partners.
Jared takes calls from various clients, putting them on speakerphone for training purposes so we, the audience and Jared’s team, can learn from him. At first, it seems that Jared gets a lot of joy out of talking to clients and hearing their relationship woes, often taking on the role of trusted therapist. It’s all rather performative, but it’s part of the charm of this character and what he stands to represent. And what does an Acting Supervisor at a cheating hotline represent, exactly? Well, Jared is both the angel and the devil to his clients, not necessarily encouraging cheating but also not discouraging it. He dangles temptation, but what his clients do with that temptation is none of his business. It’s morally dubious, but what’s a man to do? In between calls, Jared chats to his team, unpacking the justification for cheating, as if it’s a riddle he himself is desperately trying to solve…
The character of Jared is instantly likeable: charming, witty, and persistent, like every good salesperson you know. At first, it feels like this play is simply a funny, high-energy, fast-paced comedy – which it is, but as its 50-minute run unravels, so does the true heart of the play.
Keeping Your Spots is a story peppered with humour and emotion, with Jewkes delivering an energetic, wonderfully unfiltered performance. Jewkes’ writing offers a sharp narrative on human connection, gender, and love, while seeking an explanation for those who commit infidelity.
It would be great to see this play develop further and expand on its existing comedic and tender moments, and for it to play in front of a larger audience. It’s certainly a production with real theatrical potential.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
