This stylish, funny and endearing production is a real tonic.
The title might suggest that changing is on the cards, but nothing about Kirk Jameson’s production of this musical comedy needs changing, providing plenty of joy and laughter during these times.
Filmed at the London Coliseum, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change concentrates on the highs, lows, awkwardness of relationships in a surprisingly funny but heartfelt way that will really resonate with a lot of people.
Formed in the shape of a series of vignettes, the show takes audiences through every aspect of a relationship from first dates, through to marriage and the sorrow when love is lost. Written by Joe Dipietro with music by Jimmy Roberts, every element of each relationship is covered with great sensitivity and humour that keeps the audience entertained.
Director Kirk Jameson ensures that each scene is sleek and smooth from the get go, with opening number ‘Cantata for a First Date’ really setting the scene and managing to capture that nervous energy that people tend to feel before going out on a first date. Instantly you are hit with the music and lyrics which are delightfully sharp and playfully naughty in places.
The cast themselves are clearly having a great time, in particular the sequence for ‘Marriage Tango’ brilliantly captures the tiredness of parents and not having any special time for themselves is really performed with great gusto by Brenda Edwards and Simon Lipkin. Elsewhere, Alice Fearn and Oliver Tompsett really highlight the insecurities that we all face when we don’t think that we are right for the other person during ‘A Stud and a Babe’. It is a really insightful, funny and slightly exaggerated performance that is a highlight. Throughout these and many other scenes there is a wonderful energy that captures the spirit of the show really well.
But underneath the humour there are also some lovely poignant moments to be found as well. Brenda Edwards offers a beautiful rendition of ‘I Will Be Loved Tonight’, while her rendition with Simon Lipkin of ‘I Can Live With That’ is wonderfully heartwarming as it is about finding someone accepting you as you are – flaws and all.
What shines through in this production is the way it reassures you that no matter what struggles you have faced in either getting started with a relationship or struggle to keep the romance going – love is at the centre of everything that we do.
Perhaps the space of the London Coliseum comes across as slightly too big to make it feel as intimate as the musical should feel, which can make it feel slightly empty in places but given that the focus is on the cast and stories that emerge it is a minor flaw.
Overall, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is heartwarming, funny and adds some much needed joy in these bleak times. Lambert Jackson Productions have once again helped deliver a show that knows how to lift people’s spirits.
By Emma Clarendon
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is being streamed online a 7.30pm tonight.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐