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Catherine Bennett highlights the trends in the performing arts world today.
Jonathan Cridford reviews 'Ghosts', one of the Freshers' plays for this year.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, You’re Change is the longest-running off-Broadway musical ever. And tonight’s performance showed me why.
Opening to a rapturous reception, the show is a clever exploration of the trials and tribulations of relationships, of being single, dating, marriage and divorce. Presented in the form of a series of vignettes, this fast-paced, hilarious musical opens up a series of windows that challenge the truths and myths of the dating-game; so much so that, in parts, you can’t help but recognise yourself in the scenarios.
The cast of four are called upon to work a simple, unembellished stage to depict a wide range of characters in heterosexual relationships: a feat which Nicola Carter, Michael Hailes, Veronica Hare and Ed Lewis-Smith delivered without fault.
All of the cast gave outstanding performances. Hare got the musical off to a great start with her role as the businesswoman, weary and impatient of the dating-game, in the ‘Cantata for a first date', whilst Hailes shone in his defence of the male species in ‘Why? ‘cause I‘m a guy’.
it has set a huge precedent for future musicals in the Barn to live up to
But it was the numerous performances of Carter and Lewis-Smith which were perhaps the most ‘perfect’. With tremendous conviction, both were young and anxious, middle-aged, pushy parents, old and endearing and heartbroken and lost. Carter’s best moment is a monologue to a video camera as a freshly and painfully divorced woman re-entering the dating arena. It is harder to pin down Lewis-Smith’s best moments; as a new father in ‘The Baby Song’, wrestling with a teddy bear, or as a guy trying not to cry in front of his date whilst watching a chick-flick, he was equally commanding and impressive.
From the lighter first act, which concerns itself with the ups and downs of dating, culminating in a wedding, to the second act, which covers laughs, tears, newlyweds and senior citizens, there is never a dull moment in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Michael Slater’s spirited direction infused the musical with an abundance of absolutely hilarious moments. Laughs were constant, of which Lewis-Smith provides most; his portrayal of a crazed murderer who tries to bring two singletons together and his role as a salami-wielding old man are memorable examples.
Yet, the musical also dealt, beautifully, with the more tender and heart-warming aspects of relationships. Carter’s ‘I will be loved tonight’ and Hailes’ reflection on thirty years of marriage in ‘Shouldn’t I be less in love with you?’ prompted audible ‘aw’s from the audience.
There were some forgotten lines and other slip-ups that can be attributed to an opening night performance, but with excellent musical direction from Gavin Whitworth, strong vocals and hilarity prevailed throughout the performance. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change was a wonderfully enjoyable evening, giving me everything I expected from a musical and much, much more.
The show continues to run at the Drama Barn until Sunday night, with performances beginning at 7.30pm. Tickets are available on the door but arrive early to avoid disapointment.
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