Local author Andrea Weatherston's play deals with the attraction between two ordinary, emotionally fragile, people.
Weatherston's play, which benefits from its intimate setting in the clubroom, is both amusing and meaningful. It was the first winner of the East Midlands Playwriting competition in 2002 and has since been toured across the country.
Angie (Monica Dakin) is a single mum escaping a violent relationship. Matt (Guy Evans) is more sensitive than the men who surround him, and suffering a broken heart from a failed relationship.
Both actors are convincing and add realism to the dialogue. Each simultaneously but separately relates the story of their encounter on a trip to Skeggy, she doing her ironing and he standing at a bar; the two narratives interweave in poignant and often humorous ways.
When they meet, it seems to be love at first sight, but neither believes that they are worthy of their match. Veering from reckless flirtation to despondent reserve, neither of them seems prepared to take the plunge and make the first move. Whilst they feel the same way about each other, each is overcome by doubt and insecurity.
Most striking in this play is the gulf between Hollywood romance and slightly seedy reality - she gazes admiringly over his body; he checks his flies.
Lace Market Theatre 17-20 November 2004
Other theatre reviews by Adrian
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