Rehearsal images have been released for Love Me Now, Michelle Barnett’s debut play arriving at the  Tristan Bates Theatre from the 27th March. Here’s a glimpse of what has been happening in rehearsals…

She’s a cool girl.She’s independent. She doesn’t worry about what she eats. And she fucks whoever she wants. But when casual sex comes routine and what was convenient becomes all-consuming, she’s stuck being someone she never wanted to be.

Michelle Barnette’s debut play examines casual relationships and today’s hook-up culture. Love Me Now reveals the grey area between love and sex, consent and compliance, yes and no through the superficial intimacies we share and the defensive barriers we put up.

The play was written in 2015, at a time when the number of people using Tinder was on the rise, prompting Barnette to question why millennials have come to view the relationships and sex as transactional.

Directed by Jamie Armitage, the production is set to star: Alistair Toovey (An Octoroon, National Theatre/Orange Tree; The Box of Delights, Wilton’s Music Hall; Lord of the Flies, Regents Park Open Air Theatre), Helena Wilson (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, The Old Vic; The Lady from the Sea, Donmar Warehouse) and Gianbruno Spena (Romeo and Juliet, Custom/Practise; Boy Stroke Girl, Tristan Bates Theatre; Save, Theatre76).

Talking about the production, director Jamie Armitage said: “Love Me Now is a complicated script that requires actors to be sensitive and brave throughout the process. With Helena, Gianbruno and Alistair, we’ve found brilliant actors who will handle these delicate subjects with the care required.”

Love Me Now features set and costume design by Fin Redshaw, sound design by Andy Josephs and lighting by Ben Jacobs.

Love Me Now will play at the Tristan Bates Theatre from the 27th March until the 14th April. For more information visit: https://www.tristanbatestheatre.co.uk/whats-on/love-me-now