Midsummer at Tricycle Theatre proves to be a refreshing, hopeful rom com with songs, executed brilliantly by writer and director David Greig.
The theatre team at Spoonfed have been known to get pretty riled up about writers directing their own shows. But as the director of his own script, David Greig shows how to pull together all the lovely aspects of his romantic comedy Midsummer, without being too precious about his delicately crafted characters.
The story follows Helena and Bob on the weekend following the longest, maddest weekend of the year. Everyman Bob is not quite as average as he first appears and Helena, it turns out, is more vulnerable that we're lead to believe.
Whilst Bob's mid-life crisis and Helena's inability to get her ducks in a row seem a little clichéd, these characters are familiar and their stories are full of hope and told with flair, and melodic, crestfallen music courtesy of Gordon McIntyre.
Greig cleverly caters to his viewers. The pace of this production is perfect and varied. From the city bar where the two meet, we travel to weddings, parks, fetish clubs and even inside the mind of Bob, all on Georgia McGuinness' adaptable set. For the set to appear so deceptively simple is appropriate for this fun production. It's all about the storytelling. Cora Bissett and Matthew Pidgeon finish each others sentences, correct each other and address the audience directly to convey a sweet story about two thoroughly flawed but likeable characters.
Though this play didn't blow me away, I have been recommending it all over town. For its entertainment value, it's a damn good night out and London town needs some romantic optimism.
Midsummer runs at Tricycle Theatre until 29th January 2011
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