Inexperience review – this ‘no-contact’ romance is incredibly touching

The Guardian Culture Saturday 20 June 2026, 05:00 UTC By Mark Fisher 1 min read

Key Points

Pitlochry Festival theatreWriter Douglas Maxwell’s playful conceit sparks a funny and superbly acted exploration of messy relationships There is a clever conceit underlying Douglas Maxwell’s sparky romantic comedy. It imagines the possibility of a sexually charged relationship being sustained without physical contact. Played out on stage, this improbable idea hits home on two levels.

Pitlochry Festival theatre
Writer Douglas Maxwell’s playful conceit sparks a funny and superbly acted exploration of messy relationships

There is a clever conceit underlying Douglas Maxwell’s sparky romantic comedy. It imagines the possibility of a sexually charged relationship being sustained without physical contact. Played out on stage, this improbable idea hits home on two levels.

Meeting at a 21st birthday party in 1995, two students – one law, one media studies – agree to maintain the erotic anticipation of their first encounter by never touching each other. If they ever do, the relationship will be over.

Pitlochry Festival (LOCATION) Douglas Maxwell (PERSON)

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Inexperience review – this ‘no-contact’ romance is incredibly touching

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