Review by Clancy Haynes
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I once went on a first date where we spied on Alf from Home and Away having drinks with Su Pollard. I can only assume they were in panto together and were having post-show beverages, but we were obsessed. Luckily, this gave us common ground, blew away any nerves we may have had, and we’ve been married for 20 years. Thank you, Alf and Su! Aaron and Casey, however, are having the full first date experience. Butterflies in the tummy, awkward silences, cringeworthy small talk, friends and family dropping by to perform perfectly choreographed musical numbers. OK, maybe the last one doesn’t usually happen, but in First Date - A Comedy Musical, which had its UK premiere at The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham this week, it does.
With a book by Austin Winsberg and music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, First Date - A Comedy Musical is the story of a blind date between two very different people with dating pasts that make them nervous about the evening ahead. As the date progresses, their insecurities come to life in the guise of various friends and family who appear to dispense advice. Can Aaron and Casey overcome their hang-ups and turn what seems to be a disastrous date into a romance?
From its opening number, it’s clear that this show is a lot of fun. A very early Friends joke had me smiling, and numerous moments provoked big belly laughs from the audience. Songs come thick and fast, providing lively commentary on the many first-date cliches playing out on stage. Particular fun highlights were ‘The Girl for You’, where Aaron worries about family reactions to their different religions, and the short but funny Simon and Garfunkelesque ‘The Awkward Pause.’ The use of freeze-framing, particularly during the early numbers, was amusing, allowing the date to be paused while characters expressed their views. ‘First Impressions’ used it to great effect, with Aaron and Casey’s frozen positions saying a lot about their initial feelings.
For a small venue, the staging was impressive. Walking in to take our seats felt like walking into Cupidz, the bar where the date takes place. We were welcomed into the 'bar', before settling down beside a stage set with tables and other paraphernalia. It served as the perfect backdrop to Aaron and Casey’s story, with any set changes being smoothly (and often hilariously) dealt with by the small ensemble cast. Lighting kept the bar theme going, with an intimate, ambient focus on the main couple during their conversations and then popping when their inner voices appeared.
These inner voices were played with great enthusiasm by Tom Kiteley, Lowri Hamer and Joey Warne. This small ensemble shouldered the responsibility of most of the songs, and they did not disappoint, able to change character and musical style easily. Joey Warne was a particular delight as the waiter, lighting up the stage when looking after the main couple, delivering costumes and props, and entertaining the crowd with the fun cabaret number ‘I’d Order Love’. Tom Kiteley’s Gabe and Lowri Hamer’s Lauren were also highlights, providing high comedy and more insight into the backgrounds and insecurities of the main characters.
As the date takes place in real-time, Michali Dantes and Rokaya as Aaron and Casey respectively, were front and centre for the whole show. Neither had many songs of their own, which felt unusual, but both were believable as two people approaching the date from very different points of view. Rokaya particularly tugged at the heartstrings with her end of Act 1 ballad ‘Safer’, while Dantes’ rousing ‘In Love With You’ built in confidence and energy.
While the show is entertaining, the story itself is quite weak. Despite the two leads being engaging and sweet, selling the character development well, the story never quite convinces that this is a couple with a future. Part of this could be due to the lack of numbers the leads actually sing rather than just react to. Musicals work because the audience is invited into the hearts and minds of characters so that we understand their inner most thoughts and motivations. First Date - A Comedy Musical attempts to do this differently, using personified inner critics, and while this provides a lot of comedy, Aaron and Casey themselves sometimes feel a little lost in the mix.
First Date - A Comedy Musical is a fun night out. Despite a weak story with a few too many clunky cliches, there’s a lot to enjoy and the very enthusiastic cast work hard to bring the story to life. Take a date. Maybe a first date. You never know where it might go!
First Date - A Comedy Musical plays at The Old Joint Stock until 25th August.
For tickets and information visit https://www.oldjointstock.co.uk/whats-on/first-date
Photos by Perro Loco Productions
Comments