Lovesong @ Sherman Cymru, Cardiff
Lots of love, on stage.
Review
Itchy had the pleasure of heading along to Lovesong, the latest play of
writing talent Abi Morgan, who lays claim to recent cinema titles Shame
and Iron Lady. This all took shape under the roof of Cardiff’s brand
new theatre, Sherman Cymru. With its sleek white bar, dark silver
metal-plated exterior and highest-of-high ceilings, we knew we were in
for a treat.
Upon entering, the stage was decadently covered in cloth flowers, blurring the indoor with the out, while a sweet old gentleman, Bill (Sam Cox), looked like he needed a cuddle as he pottered about on the stage.
Lovesong tells the story of a couple at two different stages of life, juxtaposing the newlyweds in their new abode with their older, twilight selves. Both periods of life are masterfully intertwined to create an impressive fluidity of time, with the past just as present as the, well, present.
Seeing the trials of marriage between the younger Margaret and Bill (played by Leanne Rowe and Edward Bennett respectively) simultaneous with the comfortable, simple, yet entirely pure love of their older selves was incredibly moving. The effect was an unrushed revelation of the nature of true love; one of the truest loves that Itchy has ever seen brought to the stage.
This was elevated by the talents of the incredible Frantic Assembly theatre company, with Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett directing the piece. Morgan’s words were embellished with enthralling contemporary dance sequences, nestled into not only the play, but the furniture, with complete harmony. Seriously, there were Margarets and Bills emerging from beds, fridges and wardrobes all over the place. The dance showed incredible strength from BAFTA award-winning Siân Phillips, both physically and emotionally, injecting the story with an overwhelming power. In other words, yes, we cried little Itchy tears throughout the entire performance.
It wasn’t all sob-inducing, though: Morgan made the couple’s intimacy flourish with charming, quintessentially British humour, well and truly sealing the bond between audience and cast.
Itchy was lucky enough to strengthen this bond even further at the post-talk show, in which three out of four cast members (bar Phillips) and the director gave some insight into their experience of the production. More memorable than the witty anecdotes of flinging OAPs around dance studios, though, was the humble confession from Bennett: ‘the play has made me ask myself whether I love…enough.’
Lovesong’s unassuming presentation of a little world of truest love could not fail to stir up those same questions within its audience, reminding us that the sweetest things in life are the simplest. We left the theatre with our hearts beating with just a little more rigour for our favourite people. And don't get jealous - that includes you, lovely reader.
Hannah Embleton-Smith
Upon entering, the stage was decadently covered in cloth flowers, blurring the indoor with the out, while a sweet old gentleman, Bill (Sam Cox), looked like he needed a cuddle as he pottered about on the stage.
Lovesong tells the story of a couple at two different stages of life, juxtaposing the newlyweds in their new abode with their older, twilight selves. Both periods of life are masterfully intertwined to create an impressive fluidity of time, with the past just as present as the, well, present.
Seeing the trials of marriage between the younger Margaret and Bill (played by Leanne Rowe and Edward Bennett respectively) simultaneous with the comfortable, simple, yet entirely pure love of their older selves was incredibly moving. The effect was an unrushed revelation of the nature of true love; one of the truest loves that Itchy has ever seen brought to the stage.
This was elevated by the talents of the incredible Frantic Assembly theatre company, with Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett directing the piece. Morgan’s words were embellished with enthralling contemporary dance sequences, nestled into not only the play, but the furniture, with complete harmony. Seriously, there were Margarets and Bills emerging from beds, fridges and wardrobes all over the place. The dance showed incredible strength from BAFTA award-winning Siân Phillips, both physically and emotionally, injecting the story with an overwhelming power. In other words, yes, we cried little Itchy tears throughout the entire performance.
It wasn’t all sob-inducing, though: Morgan made the couple’s intimacy flourish with charming, quintessentially British humour, well and truly sealing the bond between audience and cast.
Itchy was lucky enough to strengthen this bond even further at the post-talk show, in which three out of four cast members (bar Phillips) and the director gave some insight into their experience of the production. More memorable than the witty anecdotes of flinging OAPs around dance studios, though, was the humble confession from Bennett: ‘the play has made me ask myself whether I love…enough.’
Lovesong’s unassuming presentation of a little world of truest love could not fail to stir up those same questions within its audience, reminding us that the sweetest things in life are the simplest. We left the theatre with our hearts beating with just a little more rigour for our favourite people. And don't get jealous - that includes you, lovely reader.
Hannah Embleton-Smith
