This Little Life of Mine – Park Theatre

James Robinson and Caroline Deverill in This Little Life of Mine at the Park Theatre, London. Picture: Charlie Round-Turner

This Little Life of Mine continues at the Park Theatre, London until 29 October.

Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩

This Little Life of Mine is a musical which takes the life of an ordinary couple, Izzy (Kate Batter) and Jonesy (James Robinson), and places it under a microscope. After recently moving into their new flat, situated in the heart of London, the audience follows the couple through a turmoil of events that threatens both themselves as a couple and as individuals. Within this contemporary setting, writers Michael Yale and Charlie Round-Turner explore the theme of love, lust, infertility and infidelity.

Although Batter and Robinson execute the leading roles with great enthusiasm, at times their dialogue becomes awkward and unnatural. In fact there were a number of scenes when audience members were undecided whether to cringe or be amused.

However, these blips are swiftly saved by Batter’s charming, heart-warming voice. The music is the heart and soul of this show, unsurprising when director Yale’s lyrics and Round-Turner’s music are a such a wonderful match.

The minor characters within the show are performed by only two actors: Greg Barnett and Caroline Deverill. Barnett takes on multiple roles, including a singing barista and a materialistic selfie-addict. Deverill plays Izzy’s tough-speaking but loveable friend Tina, a controlling mother and more. Both very clearly differentiate between their various characters, a skill many performers want, but few possess.

However, perhaps the biggest hindrance that this show faces is its inability to identify itself as a play with songs or a musical. And the book, although well written and hilariously vulgar, doesn’t seem to get on track until Act II and could benefit from clearer direction.

Despite this, the production boasts a wonderfully talented cast, which brings such enthusiasm, humour and honesty to the stage, complemented further by the quirky and intimate nature of the Park Theatre.

Polly Sisley

www.parktheatre.co.uk

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This Little Life of Mine at the Park Theatre – meet the creative team – Interview