Lovesong

I was warned to bring tissues - at times you could hear a pin drop as we were drawn into the emotion of this One Act play. Billy is his older self, was dentist obsessed with regular brushing and Maggie, sadly childless now struggling to come to terms with the last crucial week of her life and how through the memories of their hopeful younger selves, the years spanning over a couple of generations. From the first leap of faith the young couple move to America, then to set up his own dental practice, she in hopes of a family. We experience bruising bumps along the way, as their marriage long endures right to Maggie’s self-end.

Beautifully opened with Neil Sellman portraying the older Billy – still with an obsession for dental hygiene, pretty helpless on the domestic front, but still very much in love with organising him the now pain ridden Maggie elegantly and determined in her organised way is superbly played by Jenny Lloyd-Lyons. Their younger selves a flirtatious, desperately wanting children Margaret is characterised by Elle Brookes-Doolan and is well paired with William newly qualified dentist equally well performed by Aaron Chester who deciding to open his own practice is not good at sharing financial decisions, is somewhat selfish  and who also likes a drink.  Both admit dalliances but still lines as ‘You will always be the only woman in the room for me’ and ‘I loved you more’ quite moving. Despite all, they endure, with memories, glimpses of their former selves in almost a dreamlike quality. Excellent diction, expressing emotion and passion from the four. The script was fluid with some moving piano underscoring and such natural flowing movement, particularly the choreographed section towards the end.

Most effective lighting with good back projection – murmuration of starlings often referred to, old nostalgic photographs.  Props plentiful, well organised and handled. Six irregular sized flats stood angled at rear set and the stage split, kitchen with large, solid,  well stocked refrigerator and kitchen cabinet aside, with small kitchen table, drawers under storing medication plus chairs off centre. The far side was an angled double bed with large wardrobe at the side. I loved the use of entry and entrance between the players as well as hanging  clothes. The peach tree was their constant. Gauze tree canopy hung from aloft and the dropped leaves and fallen peaches were placed in front of the bed.

A large peach  was also prominent on the single half A4 sheet of colourful card placed over a timepiece. Very clever. This was a life affirming piece of theatre poignantly performed and subtly directed by Jane Richardson to a very high standard, which certainly moved me, and never forgetting unseen contributors in set design and build, the sound and lighting and costume design culminated to a polished production.

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