If you've ever been in a serious relationship or if you've ever lusted after the unobtainable, then 'Closer' may hit a little too close to home. It's the story of two couples, involved in what could be described as a love square. Alice is in love with Dan, Anna is dating Larry, Anna is in love with Dan and Larry has an affair with Alice and the results are a brutally honest exploration of the nature of love, lust and sex in the modern world.

Katie Dowling, who plays the cheeky stripper Alice, says that to get into the role of a stripper you've got to do a little bit of research, and while she missed out on pole dancing classes, she did explore other avenues.

“I went to a strip club and I got a couple of lap dances,” Katie says. “So I think that's given me a pretty good idea of how a stripper would carry herself in a club.”

Trying to research the role of a stripper might make some people feel a little awkward, but not Katie, who relished the opportunity to get some ground-level experience.

“I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. The girls were really lovely and they didn't treat me any different to how they would a guy, maybe better. I told a couple of people why I was there, but I didn't really want to go around telling people I'm researching a role, I just wanted the full experience of what it was like.”

Directed by John Boyce, 'Closer' is a play that seems to remain current even as the times change, which says a lot about relationships. Written in 1997 by Patrick Marber, it has been performed all over the world and was made into a feature film starring Clive Owen, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts and Jude Law.  

Katie says that the success of the play relies on the depth of subject matter.

“All the things they say to each other when breaking up or getting back together, most people have said a few of those things or thought them. It's very real, it's something that everyone has experienced.”

'Closer' plays at the Brisbane Arts Theatre, May 29 - June 19.