Review: LOVE TO LOVE, Golden Goose Theatre
Love to Love takes a bold concept—being stuck in a room with your soulmate for 36 hours and 36 questions—and attempts to turn it into a theatrical exploration of connection and self-discovery.
The young creators behind Love to Love bring bold ideas to the table and the willingness to take risks. That, in itself, is an achievement worth applauding. Unfortunately, the execution falls flat, leaving the audience with a muddled narrative and underdeveloped characters.
The show opens with Flo Petrie’s character, Pro, stepping onto the stage and breaking the fourth wall by addressing the cameras. While this introduction hints at a playful meta-commentary, it quickly becomes apparent that Pro is a shallow and one-dimensional character. The writer’s intentions are glaringly obvious, stripping the audience of any sense of intrigue or depth.
The writing is riddled with inconsistencies and lazy dialogue. Pro frequently states exactly what she’s feeling, leaving no room for the audience to interpret or engage with her emotions. Ant, played by Charlie Collinson, overplays his role as a therapist, announcing the narrative's supposed big revelation far too early. This undermines any suspense and makes the connection between the two characters feel frustratingly one-sided.
Adding to the disjointedness, the characters oscillate between exaggerated stereotypes and this dynamic, rather than creating tension or insight, feels forced and unrelatable. Quick sequences occasionally provide a momentary boost to the pacing, but the transitions to other characters or moments in time are unclear, making it difficult to follow the story's trajectory. Sharp vocal or physical changes would help out in these transitions and differentiate the characters.
The inclusion of the video projections, which fail to convincingly resemble the protagonists, detracts from the narrative. These projections seem out of place and highlight the adage that "less is more." A simpler, more restrained approach could have allowed the audience to focus on the characters and their journey.
While Love to Love demonstrates clear passion from its creators, it lacks the refinement and technical skill needed to bring the story to life. With significant editing, stronger character development, and more nuanced performances, the piece has potential. For now, it remains stuck in its own loop of overwrought emotions and missed opportunities.
Congratulations to the team for putting their work out there—it’s evident that there’s heart behind this project. With some polish, it could evolve into something truly worth loving.
Reviewed by: Beatriz Ferreira
Love to Love plays at London’s Golden Goose Theatre until 24 May, with further info here.
