Thanks For Having Me, Riverside Studios Review

Reviews

11 Apr

Nell Tiger Free and Keelan Kember in Thanks for Having Me. Photo by Oliver Kember

Written by Cathie for Theatre & Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

Thanks for Having Me has come fresh from the Kings Head Theatre to land with a cheeky gin and tonic splash at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. At first glance, it appears like yet another mismatched friends comedy who are struggling with the dating world, but it quickly becomes so much more than that. Director Monica Cox, producer Kit Bromovsky and writer Keelan Kember have created an outstanding play that dives into modern dating life in a beautifully witty way.

Set firmly from the male perspective, we meet two friends who are chalk and cheese to each other but somehow manage to beautifully complement each other’s flaws and foibles. First is Honey (Kedar Williams-Stirling), a confident and light-hearted player who enjoys multiple flings but his moral code means he tries to do this as respectfully as possible. Next is Cashel (Keelan Kember) an endearingly awkward man child with hypochondria and a tad struggling with intrusive thoughts. This contrast is done in a very respectful and self humorous way. He’s just broken up from a 8 year relationship and is rather directionless in life. Finally, we have Maya (Adeyinka Akinrinade) and Eloise (Nell Tiger Free) who interact with the boys romantically but stand equivocally on their own two feet and come across as powerfully assured women secure in their own agency. As Honey progresses with his relationship with Maya he struggles with vulnerability and recognising his emotions. This is contrasted by Eloise and Cashel who have a short lived friendship with benefits scheme. I was incredibly impressed by Eloise in particular, including her speech on not being objectified by any male she dates.

The lessons each learn from the other is the centre on which the story spins, but it is also so much more than that. They each speak in rapid fire banter and quick wit, landing salient points but also quickly moving on to the next conviction. Their character arcs are clear and believable in their personal growth with their differing forms of happiness equally valued and understood. The cast’s chemistry together was phenomenal, quickly changing from comedy to conviction, sensible to the dramatic. The subtle facial gestures, micro expressions and ways they move around the set really make the details seem more vivid and layered in reality.

Honey’s flat set (Ellie Wintour) definitely acted as a silent fifth character and lent much warmth and grounding to the story in an elegant way. The use of sound and lighting (Matt Karmios) also well conveyed the passing of time along with highlighting the emotional resonance of what is being discussed on stage.

I truly was fascinated by the bond between the two men and it was the healthiest example of a positive male bonding in modern media that I have seen in a long time. It was refreshing to see them openly discuss vulnerabilities and emotions in a healthy way and for them to be supportive and openly listen to each other. Kember’s prose is very reminiscent of Oscar Wilde in its determined silliness which quickly unfurls into deeply profound thoughts. The fabulously well rounded character arcs and pithy plot twists had us all in stitches of laughter or nodding in deep agreement through giggles. The audience laughed almost the entire way through this show and the atmosphere was jubilant and glowing with good humour.

At 90 minutes running time this show is the perfect light hearted comedy to brighten your week. It’s perfectly paced and leaves you wanting more as you see Honey and Cashel figuring out their next moves forward in life. If you are in need of a fast paced comedy that is entirely relatable to modern dating life with fast zingers and even quicker retorts then this is the show for you!