LOVE AND MARRIAGE IN NEW YORK CITY. To 31 October.

Tour

LOVE AND MARRIAGE IN NEW YORK CITY
by David Heron

Tour to 31 October 2003
Runs 2hr 45min One interval
Review: Timothy Ramsden 12 September at Royal Theatre Northampton

Lightweight sitcom-style material from Jamaica, but clearly with an audience in Britain.Cheers, Friends! 'Direct from Jamaica' comes David Heron's 'romantic comedy', which with sitcom expertise plucks and often tugs vehemently at virtually every emotional chord, till finally, inevitably, soothing with a feelgood conclusion. And at its plot heart lies a Green Card.

This permit to stay and work in the USA motors the story. An arranged marriage, dissolved when the precious paper's gained, has worked for Natalie. Trouble is, she's fallen for US Citizen Damian, a successful ex-Jamaica photographer, whose own entanglements bring trouble. They're renting from Jessica, stockbroker supreme who's lost all whiff of Jamaica except hints in her voice. She's Ms Manhattan, single, brittle and overwhelmingly dollar-oriented.

It's the money-lure has her accept an arranged marriage to Theophilus. New from the island, he's lumberingly well-intentioned, yet able (despite a career break) to land a well-paid job in banking. Not every New York money-person's as tough-going, it seems, as Jessica. Unlike her, he keeps his good-nature despite fashion makeovers (friendly Natalie's a model, who can advise on these things). This all opens the little-asked question as to whether it's purely length of time in NY has hardened Jessica.

If she is that hard. Puccini's Madam Butterfly seems to have an extended run, co-terminous with the action, and Jessica's been over a dozen times to see the operatic weepie. (Show me a tough nut who loves Butterfly and I'll show you a cookie that'll crumble). Jessica keeps her emotions private opera-going and CD listening are individual experiences. She values her Puccini recording as highly as Damien does his cameras. It's left to their incoming partners to introduce the sweet smell of humanity.

The plot creaks in places, the acting can be overdone too much signalling with arms, faces and over-deliberate vocal expression in some performances. But many theatres would envy the ethnic mix of audience the show (doubtless with focused marketing) achieved in Northampton. An exuberance greeted the show (contrast Gospel Choir with Cathedral choristers), with spontaneous encouragements to get it together, and shock when 'it' fell apart, culminating in a cheer at curtain-time. Love and Marriage may have its faults; clearly it also has an audience.

Natalie Taylor: Denise Hunt
Damian Lewis: David Heron
Theophilus Wilson: Andrew Lawrence
Jessica Rogers: Marylynne Walton

Director: Norman Rae
Designer: Lauriston Watson
Lighting: Franklyn "Chappie" St Juste

2003-09-17 09:00:21