I Love You, Now What

The intimate space of 90 at the Park Theatre is an ideal setting for this 75-minute exploration of grief at the loss of a beloved father. Sophie Craig’s play is a very personal approach that uses both her comedic background and own loss of her father from a brain tumour to create a moving and heartfelt experience.

Being Craig’s first play some of its intention to explore and search for humour in the darkness of grief doesn’t always sit perfectly and the natural delivery of some dialogue has a charm but can drift in mumbling. But what really works is the clarity of character and the pace and variety of emotions.

It is aided by strong performances from a wonderful cast of three. Craig as Ava brings all the emotions of a lived experience to her portrayal. She is especially effective in the later stages of the play when her struggles to exist with the overbearing grief are chillingly real. Ian Puleston-Davies as the father and John her therapist gives performances that are so beautifully crafted that the switches of character are seamless and totally absorbing. Andy Umerah as Theo has the most difficult role of the boyfriend that begins his relationship when Ava’s father is first diagnosed, and attempts to be her rock, whilst also struggling with his own hang-ups concerning commitment. His exchanges with Craig are well balanced and have a lovely mix of pathos and humour.

What is most interesting in this play is the examination of grief as the person is dying as much as when they have gone. This was deftly done with the use of flash-backs and overlapping scenes. Toby Clarke has done an excellent job of bringing the story to the fore using minimal changes and staging, making full use a piano. Initially providing a direct link to Dad, then splitting to create different levels and backgrounds for subsequent scenes.
Pablo Fernandez Baz’s lighting design is both subtle and shifts locations and moods really well.

This isn’t a particularly original story being told, but with such outstanding performances and a truly heartfelt approach, it is well worth a trip. It will be interesting to see where and this goes and develops in the future.


Four Stars