BWW Reviews: LOVEBiTES explores love via a series of vignettes with lots of laughs and a few tears

BWW Reviews: LOVEBiTES explores love via a series of vignettes with lots of laughs and a few tears

Tuesday 16 September 2014, 7:30pm, Hayes Theatre Co

Peter Rutherford and James Millar's LOVEBITES is a witty musical that explores a number of different types of relationships from the perspectives of new love and the effect of time with the occasional twist. This latest staging makes good use of the intimate space at Hayes Theatre and is a tight and polished performance that incites laughter, knowing groans as the audience relates to the clichés, and tears as the show proves that love is complicated.

The strong ensemble cast of Kirby Burgess, Tyran Parke, Adele Parkinson and Shaun Rennie cover 15 characters effortlessly to portray a series of relationships that all seem quite probable, apart from the retelling of an urban legend. Moving through each story, utilising a dual revolving set and complete costume changes, the quartet deliver the stories in a variety of combinations, paying close attention to the clever lyrics. Unfortunately some of the lyrics are overpowered by the sound balance of the band, situated behind the stage.

The opening number has punch and cheesiness of the classic musicals where the premise is of the shiny newness of finding love is set with Falling in Love, presented by a red and white clad ensemble with Ellen Simpson's choreography picking up on the small details of the lyrics. Becky-Dee Trevenen's costumes help build the character since there isn't time to develop them during their stories. She draws on stereotypes such as the girl bluffing her way through a rock climbing date having bright new equipment, the flight attendants in high heels and short skirts, and the librarian in a cardigan. Interestingly, each costume is distinctive, not a simple addition of one or two items to display a change as I'd expected for such a small ensemble. The cast handle these quick changes well to ensure that there is minimal changeover time between stories. Lauren Peter's dual revolving set adds to the quick changes as simple items are delivered via the turntables which can also deliver characters to the stage. These turntables also ensure that there is none of the scampering of backstage crew across the stage or characters having to bring on their own props

The music is a pleasant mix of genres evoking different moods for each story. Georgie solo whilst rock climbing is written with a Sondheim feel to it, evoking the urgency of INTO THE WOODS whilst The Captain's Turned off the Fasten Seatbelt Sign has a upbeat pop feel and A Single Poppy has a quieter more reflective mood. A Plastic Bag (An Urban Legend) is a direct homage to Sondheim with a musical reference to SWEENEY TODD.

In traditional musical format, the opening for Act 2 echoes the first act opening but hints at changes. The Ensemble numbers for the opening and closing numbers of both acts is also tied together with the red and white theme to identify these bookends as being the summaries of the stories within and separate the actors from the characters in the individual stories. The Second Act changes mood to revisit the relationships covered in the first act. The timeframe for the return to the romances varies from story to story and the outcomes range from humorous, sad, expected, unexpected and very unexpected. They show that there is sense in honesty and the value of seeing what is real and what is contrived. They also show the depth of love that can be felt and also highlights a continuing issue that restricts love that is unfortunately still as relevant today as it was when the show was written in 2008.

Whilst most viewers will not have experienced all of the starting scenarios presented, they will probably know people who have or have heard some of the urban legends referenced so the show remains relatable.

This is a generally light hearted show that would appeal to anyone that has experienced any type of love, successful or not.

LOVEBiTES

Hayes Theatre Co,
19 Greenknowe Ave Potts Point
Dates: September 11 - October 5
Times: Tuesday - Saturday 7.30pm; Saturday 2.00pm; Sunday 1.00pm + 5.00pm
Tickets: Previews: $29.90 Season: Adult $49.90, Concession $42.90*
Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.au or phone 02 8065 7337

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