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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
Verdict: Love’s whirlwind ride
Hot Box Productions deliver a witty, energetic and dazzling version of New York musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.
Joe DiPietro (book and lyrics) and Jimmy Roberts (music) create an intelligently-written succession of delightful stories. The tales explore numerous relationships and experiences in the quest of discovering and re-discovering love. It’s a gift of a musical. Fabulous performances by Pete Smith on piano and Erika Eisele on violin bring the score to life.
The many delightfully-delineated characters are brought to life by (alpha order) Hayley Emma Otway, Felicity Russell, Andrew Spiers, James Wrighton with energetic, charismatic and touchingly-moving performances. Each complements the other, bringing a different energy and nuance. The gifted standard of performance makes it easy to identify with the characters.
Felicity Russell’s characters include a chick-flick obsessive girlfriend, sarcastically bitter bridesmaid, and old lady taking a chance on the possibility of love again. Her performances are precise, strong and engaging - and glow with vibrancy. Andrew Spiers’s characters burst with vivacious energy and spirit – sheer joy and entertainment. They are enormously funny, and detailed in their mannerisms and physicality, with careful attention to specifics. The perfect pairing of Felicity Russell with Andrew Spiers works convincingly. They appear completely at home together.
Adorable Hayley Emma Otway stuns with her gorgeous voice. Her I Will Be Loved Tonight shines with honesty and understanding of the character. Her deep interpretations - cute awkward girl craving love, nervous and hurt divorced woman plucking up the courage to put herself out in the dating world again – rustle the emotions with their empathy and authenticity. Ever-so-likeable James Wrighton puts across a gentle sincerity. His portrayal of the different kinds of men dealing with the dating and love game is funny and heartfelt. His characters include a comical geek longing to be a stud, and a husband who can’t help falling more in love with his wife - even after being together for 30-odd years.
Damian Sandys directs a fast, driven, energetic show, which features poignant moments of stillness and integrity. His insight resonates from beginning to end. He evokes several different surroundings using a minimal set consisting of four chairs, purely by focussing on the strength of his cast and crew, and the music and play. He uses the space to create strong intimacy, which gives the events the conviction of truth. Thought, time and compassion have clearly gone into the development of the characters’ relationships, and the choices that have been made about their history, and what they want in life and love. Every micro-scene has a journey, change and growth for each character - on the face of it simple, but taking hard work and talent to bring off, Damian Sandys’s perceptiveness as a director encapsulates love’s whirlwind ride in life.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Hayley Emma Otway - Woman I. Felicity Russell - Woman II. Andrew Spiers - Man II. James Wrighton - Man I.
Company Credits: Book and Lyrics - Joe DiPietro. Music - Jimmy Roberts. Director - Damian Sandys. Musical Director - Pete Smith. Choreographer - Hayley Emma Otway. Assistant Musical Director - Chris Peake. Assistant Choreographer - Claire Maloney. Piano - Pete Smith. Violin - Erika Eisele. Technical Operator – Ross Mc Givern. Presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited on behalf of R&H Theatricals of New York. Company - Hot Box Productions. Producers - Judith McGowan & Damian Sandys. Thanks: Emma Taylor, Louis Brownhill, Ross McGivern. Sally Irwin at Josef Weinberger Ltd. Gemma Arrowsmith. Russell Hawkins. Jodie Oliver. Patrick at Century 23. Bennet Summers. The Royal Academy of Music. Wendy Brackley. Jo Cummins. C Venues – staff. Original Production: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change was originally produced in New York by James Hammerstein, Bernie Kukoff and Jonathan Pollard. Original direction by Joel Bishoff. Originally produced by the American Stage Company. James N Vagias, Executive Producer. Canal Café Theatre: Technical Director - Ross Mc Givern. Acting Artistic Director - Louis Brownhill. Artistic Director - Emma Taylor. The Bridge House: Manager - Tracy Allum.
END
(c) Kellie Higgins 2006
reviewed Tuesday 2 May 06 / Canal Café Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
