The Hidden Review: Love is Blue - Theatre Review

 



The THR has watched Love is Blue playing at The Drayton Arms Theatre from July 20th-22nd, just before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe. This two-hander, part of four plays produced by LAMBCO Productions, is about an unlikely encounter between a slick city trader and a young man who is homeless and he helps out by inviting him back to his loft apartment for a shower and some food.

The two leads are very engaging as they explore their new-found understanding of each other’s pasts;
Olly is an older man who is quite a drinker as he is grieving for his late boyfriend. The more introspective and somewhat naive younger man reveals his childhood trauma of being abandoned at six months old and adopted by a religious family.

Furthermore, the director Prav MJ follows a stylish direction as it takes us on an emotional roller coaster journey. The characters live out their attraction to each other and reveal, more and more, a respective pain blossoming into a friendship.

At the same time, the songs used throughout the play increase the technology aspect of the setting as Olly uses his Alexa device to play music that reminds him of the time he spent with his partner in New York.
They both find a bonding relationship by singing beautifully in unexpected ways, and the story reveals a fascinating turn when Olly tries to kiss Aaron.

Don Cotter’s script is superb as he draws out some beautiful moments while the pace increases engagement.
Andrew Ewart plays beautifully a younger character reflecting a street-wise and introspective characterization showing a delicate nuance and vulnerability.
Moreover, Sam Walter plays Olly, who performs his role with vigour and, at the same time, with great delicacy as he sometimes breaks the fourth wall while speaking to his dead lover;

However, he is moving as he deals with his loss, delivering a speech at his boyfriend’s memorial that is heartbreakingly beautiful.

Overall, this play is a great and original piece of theatre.

Hidden Fire stars 8/10 ⭐️

Review written by Tino Orsini



© 2023 The Hidden Review

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