Love’s A Beach
Part of #SohoRising festival, Katie Sayer & Will Johnston’s “Love’s A Beach” introduces Ben & Cyrus, a couple that shoots to fame after winning in #LovesABeach reality show. 🌊 Cyrus (James Akka), an unabashed party animal, seeks the glitz & glamour of fame. Ben (Iain Ferrier), a sweet & sensible activist, aims to use their #socialmedia influence to make a meaningful impact. When they are offered a free trip to promote a five-star hotel in Dubai, where LGBTQ rights are non-existent, Cyrus is thrilled & Ben is appalled…
🫨The vibrant: The chemistry between Ben & Cyrus is an absolute standout. A dynamic duo with spot-on comic timing, Ferrier & Akka 💯own their characters & command the stage, using nothing but two suitcases & bean bag sofas to bring the story to life...
😂The LOL: Packed with witty remarks & memorable dialogue, the razor-sharp script is heightened by Phoebe Gibby’s fast-paced, physically expressive direction. While the quick pace occasionally leaves the audience without time to fully LOL, it’s a minor quibble in an unarguably entertaining show…
🤏🏼The nit-picky: The characters in “Love’s A Beach” occasionally feel a little flat, lacking any significant development during the narrative. Ben maintains his no-nonsense nature & Cyrus embraces his narcissistic persona from start to finish. Thankfully, a glimpse into Cyrus’ vulnerability in the aftermath of a scandal adds some emotional depth, hinting at the potential for a more evolved two-act piece. Meanwhile, the provocative topic of LGTBQ rights in the UAE feels like a meaty issue that is underexplored…
In a nutshell, “Love’s A Beach” dissects the ethos of social media stardom raising questions about isolation & connection, reality & fiction🌠 The profound yet hilarious tone has us flashing back to Fuel Theatre’s “FLIP!”, which explores similar territory. Ten years from now, we might say both plays called it: the #socialmedia apocalypse is nigh😬 4/5⭐
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