EDINBURGH FESTIVAL 2009: I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE - C Venues, August 12 2009

I must confess that I never expect much from university theatre groups. This is probably a hangover from my own traumatic college drama days, but now isn't the time or place for cod-psychoanalysis.

And handling something as beautiful and complex as I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change requires sensitivity and sincerity - it's easy for even experienced actors to slip up on this kind of material.

But Exeter University Footlights astounded me with their clever, witty, touching takes on the sketches. They didn't go overboard with scenery or props or choreography; they let their talent and the script and the libretto speak for itself. They played the comedy well, but didn't let the more sentimental scenes stray into schmaltz.

Even more impressively, they worked without microphones - something I'd like to see more of in these medium-sized venues, but many companies seem to think it's necessary to blast everyone's eardrums out, or perhaps it's simply because their cast don't have the vocal chops to sing without amplification.  That wasn't the case here, where they were delicately accompanied by a single piano and violinist.

This is a beautiful ensemble piece, and all involved deserve many congratulations.

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