I Love You, Now What? - Park Theatre Review

Written by Bronagh for Theatre and Tonic.

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.

Content warnings – strong language and includes the discussion of cancer, death, grief and sex.

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I Love You, Now What? is one of those shows that evokes so many emotions; happiness, sadness, frustration and grief. In little over an hour we explore the complexities that come with dealing with knowing a loved one is going to pass away, and the aftermath.

We first meet Ava (Sophie Craig) and her dad (Ian Puleston-Davies) as Ava explains her dad’s health…we then meet Theo (Andy Umerah), bumping into Ava in a club and spending the night with her. For some explained reason Ava is rather jittery about spending the night with Theo – she’s not ‘that kind of girl’ – which Sophie portrays very realistically. She could easily be someone you see on your For You Page on TikTok doing a story time, or a friend that you’re gossiping with at the pub. The little facial expressions and mannerisms do not go unnoticed, the joy of the smaller Park90 space in the Park Theatre. Watching the relationship between Ava and Theo grow is a genuinely gorgeous watch, from the initial coyness to literally shouting that they love one another.

Ian Puleston-Davies’ performance is a standout, playing Dad and John, a bereavement counsellor. Ian switches between each part seamlessly, showing what a versatile actor he is. As Dad he is a man dealing with various stages of illness up until he died in a performance that certainly generated a few tears in the audience – I know I certainly felt choked up!

The main centrepiece of the small theatre space is a piano. The piano is used to signal scene changes and narrative shifts, acting as a bed and a cliff edge to name a few. It is a shame that the piano isn’t used as an instrument more; I would have loved to have seen Ava finish the song her dad started writing and play it for the audience but I do understand why she may not have wanted to do this given her headspace following his passing.

As previously mentioned, Park90 is a lovely yet small space. Pablo Fernandez Baz’s lighting helped to take us beyond the theatre, particularly to the seaside on two very touching occasions. Ava and Theo look at other people visiting and minding their own business on one of these visits and shout at them. There is a part where they shout the ‘c-word’ which, although provided the desired shock factor, I can’t help but think could have been replaced with a slightly less harsh word – I promise I am not easily offended or a snowflake!

Not only does she star in I Love You, Now What?, Sophie Craig also wrote it too. It is undoubtedly a great debut, having already received praise whilst showing at both Edinburgh Fringe and The Pleasance. I really enjoyed how the show, although about a deeply moving topic, also provided a good few laughs. Both Ava and Theo would ask questions to members of the audience as if they were fellow guests at a party, the right amount of audience participation. I Love You, Now What? joyously finds light in the darkness.

I Love You, Now What? is a really lovely addition to the Park Theatre’s repertoire, The performances are real and raw, allowing a safe space for the audience to take time to reflect on their own experiences with both loss and love.

At the Park Theatre until 23rd August 2024.

 ☆ ☆ ☆