Review of ‘Strategic Love Play’: “It’s a heartbreak… into laughter”

Paines Plough’s latest romantic comedy lands on the Soho Theatre’s stage to explore the little joys and many sorrows of finding that special one. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if its edgy depiction of modern dating is either a crush or bound to crash.

So, I went on a date last Sunday. And he had a jolly good package – in the sense that he was so well endowed, I mean, his attributes were… Just let me rephrase. He was huge (bloody hell!). He was manly, big, strong, tall and handsome. And also, expensive… First time I’m the one who footed the whole bill… When it comes to relationships, I like to be the lady – thank you very much. But you can see where I’m coming from (I want all of your money…), dating in a big city can really suck – and you don’t even get to do that half of the time.

Anyway, I’ve got up sore today, and it’s not because of what you’re thinking. I’m only f*cked (oh dear, not again…), pretty much like the characters that every night, and until the middle of June, go on a speed encounter (nothing to do with premature stuff…) at the main studio of the Soho Theatre. Enter Strategic Love Play, a new comedy by the Paines Plough exploring the joys and thrills of looking for a partner when you’re hitting your 40s  after decades and decades of disappointments – I mean, some are early starters (oh, God, that’s gonna get me cancelled…).

Written by Miriam Battye and directed by Katie Posner, the show introduces us to some man and woman (I’m not being vague, those are the characters’ names) meeting for the first time (and hopefully, for his mental health, the last one) in a desperate attempt to find that special someone to share the rest of their existence with – I’m feeling like such an Ursula at this moment… Love is in the air, and it’s getting fouler by the minute, as their backgrounds, expectations and insecurities begin to clash in what, unavoidable, is bound for a disastrous experience (I can’t help but smirk every time I hear of things like that happening… ah, my spinster bile).

Penned with intuition and a few strokes of strong comedic ability, the recount turns out to be a fairly amusing ride on the whole – regaling us with some good laughs (the lady sitting next to me could verify – I’m loud and proud, power to my giggles!), in what, in the end, is a fun piece of entertainment. Putting its finger on some interesting themes regarding our emotional needs as human beings, the script manages to deliver some insightfulness despite this not being its driving element – in what, eventually, is nothing more (nor does it intend to be) than a nice, droll jaunt filled with unpretentious sketches of light humour.

Nonetheless, there’s still some ammendments to be made if they want the narrative to work completely. Though parting from a sound concept, the plot still struggles to move at a steady pace at some points – developing a proper story arc, but not putting enough components into it to give it sufficient personality and, in the end, preserve the interest. It has the layout, but it lacks some of the furniture. On the other hand, though its dialogue is generally engaging and able to trigger more than a few chuckles, some jokes find it difficult too land – occasionally, pushing too hard for an effect that, most unfortunately, are still not suitable to accomplish.

In any case, the montage makes up for the script’s mild blemishes, starting with Rhys Jarman’s beautifully arranged set design – flawlessly complemented by Rajiv Pattani’s intricately crafted lighting. As for the cast, both Archie Backhouse and Letty Thomas exude compelling chemistry and rapport onstage – though the scene is usually stolen by Backhouse’s stunning comedic ease, capable of giving such wacky energy to every line without the need to ever camp them out.

A goofy comment on an even goofier reality, Strategic Love Play offers an appealing, enjoyable but still not captivating look on the hilarious trials and tribulations of the everyday dating drama. A bit more wit and sincerity would probably allow the plot to set off that final burst of thunder that’s meant to be galvanize its viewers with; but at this state, keeps finding a few short-circuits throughout the way. It deals with some rather hard matters, but we don’t need them stiff all the time.

Strategic Love Play plays at London’s Soho Theatre until 15 June. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara