If this incredibly long, incredibly hard, on-going theatre shutdown has taught me anything, it’s that nothing (not even a global pandemic) can stop the arts. Our industry never stops breathing, growing and evolving. Throughout this entire ordeal, the creative minds that make the industry tick have been hard at work, creating art and bringing the power of theatre into our homes, through our computer screens and straight into our hearts. 

Presented in association with Quick Fantastic, staged at the beautiful London Coliseum and streamed to the masses by Stream.Theatre, After You is the latest offering of theatre at home that we have been treated too. With music by Alex Parker and a book and lyrics by Katie Lam, After You stars Alexia Khadime (Wicked, Prince of Egypt) and Bradley Jaden (Les Miserables, Wicked) in a brand new two-hander musical, that will pull at your heartstrings and surprise you in equal measure.

Set upon a cruise liner travelling from England to New York, we are introduced to two characters; a cruise ship singer searching for adventure, and a successful lawyer who wants nothing more than to keep her head down, work and make it to her destination without any disruption. In a single moment that could be considered a simple twist of fate, the two meet and opposites attract. The pair share stories, tell each other their hopes for the future and become close over the week they are travelling together. But how truthful are they being? Do they both want the same thing? And what will happen when they reach New York and leave the ship? 

Despite its all too brief running time of just under an hour, we are introduced to many intricate ideas and qualities of a relationship. It’s an honest glimpse into the thoughts of two people entering into something new, when both are unsure about what that something is or could be. It brings the idea that we live the lives we choose to the forefront, picking apart the moments when we are forced to choose what paths we take. It’s so well written as a two-hander, so much so that we don’t even need to know the characters names in order to feel deeply connected to them. It’s easy to hang on to every word and cling to facts we are told about their lives, savouring every moment of their beautiful connection.

Both Khadime and Jaden impress throughout with their vocals, filling an empty London Coliseum with apparent ease, whilst bringing the story to life in the most stunning way. Their voices fit the gorgeous melodies of this heartfelt musical perfectly, with Khadime pouring her heart out as her character tries to work out how she feels about the singer she meets aboard the cruise liner, and why she feels that way. Jaden’s powerful voice also soars through many powerful moments of sheer beauty. His character is so passionate and full of life, and you can feel that in every word. 

For a show with such beautiful songs, such engaging, captivating characters and a story that grips you from start to finish, it’s a shame that we had to experience it through a computer screen. Nevertheless, I feel lucky that I had the chance to do so. I can only hope that once we are through all of this and theatres are allowed to re-open to full audiences again, that we all get the opportunity to experience After You in person. I can only imagine how it would feel to experience such a treat in actual reality. But until then, can we please have a cast recording?

***** Five stars