Games for Lovers, The Vaults - ★★★★☆ - Until August 25, 2019


There is a lot of fun in this examination of millennial courtship rituals and the games lovers play. The audience clearly saw themselves in these characters and thoroughly enjoyed the absurdities of the negotiations involved in trying to meet and establish a relationship in the Tinder world. The manic energy of the production was infectious and the choreographed sequences worked well to set the tone and establish context. The characters rang true and resonated with the hopefulness and confusion that young people face as they exercise freedoms and make personal choices in a world that now has few guidelines. Callum Callaghan was strong as the simple, but troubled Logan, and Evanna Lynch was a believable shy, romantic Martha. Tessie Orange-Turner caught the spirit of the both liberated and insecure Jenny. Billy Postlethwaite stood out as the nerdy and needy Darren. It was a lovely comic turn with just the right touch of pathos and indefatigable optimism expressed in a deftly awkward body language. These were complex characters and sometimes it did not feel as if we were given enough time to know them and understand their actions, but in the end this proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable evening in the theatre. A delightfully humorous look at the way we date and mate now!

Reviewed by J.C.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆★ 

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WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until August 25, 2019
Tue - Sun: 7:30 pm, Sat & Sun: 3:30 pm
The Vaults
Nearest tube: Elephant and Castle
Map & Location: Leake St, South Bank, London SE1 7NN, UK

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