We round up the reviews for the musical, running at the theatre until the 12th July.
WhatsOnStage: ***** “The lyrics are witty and densely packed, maybe so much so that it’s hard to register them all in one sitting, although that was never an issue for Sondheim. Lovestuck isn’t trying to be that musical maestro (the finale is a joyous anthem entitled “Everybody’s Got Their Sh*t”, for goodness sake), but it sets manageable targets for itself and scores bullseye after bullseye. The writing unerringly finds the middle ground between snarl and sweetness.”
The Guardian: **** “But with stylistic traces of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s Why Am I So Single?, the musical glistens with wit, intelligence and a high gag rate. There’s a hell of a lot of poo chat, but if you can get onboard the toilet train, you’re sure to leave laughing.”
All That Dazzles: **** “For a world premiere outing, Lovestuck is in pretty good shape. It’s not perfect, but it has enough strengths to counter the rare missteps the musical makes. Though the nature of the story may not be to everyone’s taste, the result is a hilarious watch, boosted by fantastic musical numbers, all performed by an amazing cast. It’s fair to say that this toilet-heavy musical is certainly far from sh*t and, as such, gets a star rating much more than a number two.”
Theatre Weekly: *** “Ultimately, Lovestuck is a fizzy, feel-good musical that doesn’t aim for profundity but lands squarely in the realm of escapist fun. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those willing to embrace the silliness, it’s a charming reminder that love – much like a bathroom window – can be a tight squeeze.”
The Standard: ** “Chi-San Howard’s choreography is basic, the acting ensemble capable but uninspiring. And, you know, this is a musical about a woman’s humiliation. And poo. Though honesty compels me to say that I was humming the closing number, Everyone’s Got Their Shit, on the long cycle ride home from Stratford.”
The Reviews Hub: **** “Lovestuck has a lot going for it. It is a production that is stronger when it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is full of powerful performances and good music too, which are earworms and help to keep the pace and the vibe of the show energised. That said, it is an uneven production, which does not quite know yet how to balance its ideas with its over-the-top toilet humour, and as a comedy, it does take a while for the jokes to land.”
Theatre & Tonic: ***** “Lovestuck is a brilliant and heartfelt musical that balances humour with genuine emotion. With strong performances, fun songs, and a heartfelt message, it was a joy from start to finish.”
North West End: **** “Despite a few minor flaws, Lovestuck is still a diamond of a new musical with bucket loads of heart and poo jokes galore. Take a date, take a mate, or just take yourself — this show will leave you with a smile on your face, a deep fondness for the central characters, and a healthy dose of second hand embarrassment.”
The Stage: *** “Flimsy, frothy and fun new musical about difficult dates and self-acceptance.”
Broadway World: **** “Leaving the misogyny aside, it’s an endearing, positive comedy about loving yourself for who you are. It’s full of eloquent tracks that don’t easily slip into lyrical clichés and the score is a strong mix of bopping pop. Uplifting and genuinely funny, everything considered, it’s an excellent choice to end a sunny day at the theatre.”
British Theatre Guide: “It is a successful mix of contemporary story with customary romcom storytelling right up to the foreseeable high-risk, but not really, public declaration of love and uplifting ending. The score is buoyant, scattered with comic songs often adopting an atypical angle and frequently furnished with neatly waggish phrases.”
Adventures in Theatreland: “Lovestuck is a wonderful glimpse at the future of musical theatre, with an original soundtrack, fun story, and a victorious soundtrack. Resembling something of a live 90s rom-com, it’s a guaranteed good night out.”
West End Best Friend: *** “It has more heart and self-awareness than the strikingly similar Why Am I So Single? but the score falls short. Perhaps if that show’s songwriters had taken on this story, we could have had the best of both worlds. As it is, Lovestuck is stuck between being an enjoyable show with a funny book and lacking musically which, for a musical, is a problem.”
Musical Theatre Review: *** “If you want a smart, hilarious evening about the perils of dating in modern times – well, too bad, Why Am I So Single? closed at the start of the year. But while Lovestuck may not be as technically excellent as Marlow and Moss’ take on modern romance, it does still succeed in bringing the joy.”
London Theatre 1: ** “There are some redeeming features which made the evening bearable. Some of the costumes were very colourful, and all were easy on the eyes. Chi-San Howard’s choreography was delightful to witness. Marcus Ayton as Reece, Lucy’s friend and line manager – the former more than the latter, it seemed – stole the show with a charming and engaging stage presence and a sparkling personality. The sound could do with some tweaking, however – there were moments when I frankly had no idea what the cast were singing, with some of the lyrics sung at pace.”
To book tickets visit: https://stratfordeast.com/whats-on/all-shows/lovestuck/1725