Review: Lovesong - Drama Mavericks (19.09.2025)

A beautiful and haunting play about love, memories, and the fragility of time, Abi Morgan's Lovesong tells the story of a couple at different stages of their relationship.

The play opens with the aged Billy (Kevin Oelrichs) describing his morning hygiene ritual, with his younger self, William (Julian Newton) playing out the routine in his memory. We are also introduced, in memory form, to the younger version of Billy's wife, Margaret (Jas Blackburn) as the couple face their new life together with wide-eyed optimism. Completing the cast is Mandy Kiley as the wife in present day (known as Maggie).

The production was blessed with a strong cast of four, who worked perfectly in sync to perform the almost balletic choreography illustrating their bonds as a couple in both past and present.

Jas Blackburn's acting was superb, and a brilliant example of naturalistic performance. Her transitions between dialogue and choreography looked effortless, and she blended the two seamlessly.

There were some fine moments too from Mandy Kiley and Kevin Oelrichs, showing every bit of their experience in delivering such emotionally charged material with great sensitivity. In particular, Oelrichs' unexpectedly explosive and expletive-ridden monologue was executed with great skill.

Director Ben Nash and his production team too have done some sterling work in putting together a deceptively complex piece, curating some emotive music (a piano version of Dancin' on my Own by Robyn, and Fly by Ludovico Einaudi stood out) to underscore lots of the dialogue and choreography.

While the story does ultimately take a downward trajectory, it's an exploration of the highs and lows of their couple-dom - the happy memories and the challenges they've seen off - as their past and present selves intertwine in this entrancing and heart-rending tale of togetherness.

It deserves to be seen. Lovesong continues at Norwich Puppet Theatre until the 27 Sept.