☆★★★★ I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
As George
Rae, one of the stars of this new production of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now
Change bounded off stage after last night's bows, he had a beaming and knowing
smile on his face. And quite justifiably. Together with Laura Johnson, Naomi
Slights and Dominic Hodson, this was an ensemble on top form.
I Love You,
You're Perfect, Now Change celebrates the newly rebranded/relaunched Chiswick
Playhouse. And arrives with not only potentially the longest title for a
musical but also has over 5,000 record-breaking performances off-Broadway. It
also enjoys a protracted tagline too: "Everything you have ever secretly
thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws,
but were afraid to admit." Thankfully there is now no need for an extensive
synopsis of the plot!
With a
fundamental theme of love and relationship, ILYYPNC is simply presented as a
series of fast-paced vignettes in a revue format. With a book and lyrics by Joe
DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts, the ensemble of four embraces the clever,
witty writing and equally pertinent, razor-sharp lyrics. Whether it's Laura
Johnson and Naomi Slights as a lesbian couple obsessing about their new life
with their baby or George Rae and Dominic Hodson as an elderly gay couple
finding love at funerals – cleverly observed especially the dance break
capitalising on their elegant walking sticks! ILYYPNC is chock-full of
brilliantly funny set-ups – internet dating, family dynamics, break-ups,
divorce - all superbly realised under the expert hands of these true West End
professionals. And it goes without saying the level of the accompanying vocals
is exemplary.
Director
Charlotte Westenra has smartly tightened the piece, and it now runs for an
energetic 80 minutes, a decidedly excellent appreciation of the maxim that less
is definitely more.
ILYYPNC is
the perfect production to relaunch the Chiswick Playhouse. If last night was
anything to go by, there was a palpable air of excitement in the atmosphere!
Long may it continue, as this is what Chiswick has needed for a long time.
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