Garrick Theatre - 14/09/2024
September 16th 2024
A sparkling glass of theatre that takes you on a journey through modern day love life struggles. The songs are infectious, characters are iconic and it is a millennial theatre go'er's dream.
Review:
Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the birth givers of the musical theatre marvel and Tony award winner that is 'SIX' have created another female empowering musical 'Why am I so single?'. This time it's not one act... it's two! This show is not as ground breaking as SIX, but it does hold a strong empowering message for not just 6 women, but women everywhere trudging through the dating pool. You will leave wanting to text your bestie and tell them how much you love them.
The question of 'Why am I so single?' is explored throughout the show, with the intention of putting together a 'big fancy musical'. Two seperate ideas that mix together to make the show cocktail. The simple concept of 'two best friends sitting on the sofa drinking prosecco, pulling apart their dating history' is explored through many avenues, the characters find the root of their issues and the audience grow,laugh and cry with them.
The cast have impeccable amounts of energy. This comes from a clear enjoyment and connection to the musical. Jo Foster plays one of the best friends 'Oliver' a non-binary icon and Foster is also non-binary themselves. You can see the passion, empathy and understanding Foster has for this character through the emotions portrayed in a realistic and natural embodiment of the character. The most moving performance is during the song 'Disco Ball' where Oliver goes from being easy going and comedic to bursting with emotion. It was the climax of their character. The mass of energy, fast pace and bright lights show how their character is pushing away their problems and carrying on. Rather than addressing them. Which sparks this break down of bursting out their overflowing, unresolved insecurites. It's raw and heart breaking how little their character thinks of themselves.
The other half of the two is Leesa Tulley, who plays 'Nancy' and her character is the opposite of Oliver. She wants to take her problems by the horns, find reason for them and solve them. Her moment of raw emotion is during the song 'Just In Case' where she confesses her undying love for her ex. This shows how her character struggles to move forward. Her character is curious and asks alot of questions. She focuses so much on finding answers, when sometimes they don't exist. The show unravels her trauma and how it affects her dating life. The piecing together of both of the characters stories is moving. They hold their connection with the audience by breaking the fourth wall, interacting alot with the audience and building a rapport.
The story comes to life through the set. The house hold objects come to life. They are played by the ensemble, this element creates alot of comedy and they have their own personalities. It is almost like you are watching a cartoon. The most animated section is during the song before the interval 'Interlude in B minor' where there is a bee in the flat. This has alot of clever cast and set moments. The ensemble move their arms quickly with a orange light, which looks like a bee flying and this is so visually intriging. The bee is shown in different perspectives, they get very creative! It is one of the most authentic moment in the show!
On the subject of authenticity, the songs are very original and infectious. You will find yourself adding the songs to your spotify playlist after the show. The music is a pop style and it is clear the writers are fellow musical theatre fans from the abundance of references to other musicals, especially 'Oliver!'. The choreography is in sync with the music, it is a musical theatre style and bit of commercial! It is very modern. The movements match the sound alot, such as with phones dinging a person will jump, as if they are popping up on a chat.
Overall, This show is very playful, fun and empowering. The cast are talented and it is very refreshing to watch a cast clearly fully enjoying their performances. If you want an easy watch; that makes you leave feeling empowered mixed with a splash of comedy then this is the show for you. However, if you don't think that men are trash.. then this possibly is not the show for you! Get your gal pals together and book this show at the Garrick theatre!
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