Review: First Date, Lambert Jackson Productions
First Date is a musical comedy written by Austin Winsberg and Michael Weiner. Whilst not a well-known musical for some, I think it’s safe to say that it has certainly made an impact on theatre fans in 2020. In this weird, challenging, darkness filled, complicated year, theatre makers have had to do much more than jump through a few hoops to get a show going. It’s more like an obstacle course with rules here, regulations there, tier levels and lockdown that could change at a moment’s notice. But somehow, incredible creatives, performers and production teams are making it work. And First Date, produced by Lambert Jackson Productions, only goes to show the lengths that this industry will go to in order to bring theatre back into our lives.
First Date tells the story of Aaron, a blind date newbie (Simon Lipkin) and Casey, who is more experienced when it comes to blind dates (Samantha Barks). We follow their journey from initial meeting to the end of the date and are invited to eavesdrop into their past and innermost thoughts through a series of offsides and dream sequences. Throughout the evening, we are also introduced to a number of other characters played by the three members of the ensemble including best friends, ex’s and family members, along with a hilarious waiter.
Lipkin’s Aaron is nervous and awkward, endlessly endearing as he bumbles his way through his first blind date. We see his best friend Gabe (Nick McLean) and ex-girlfriend Alison (Danielle Steers) try to direct his thoughts and actions, as if they were the angel and the devil sitting on his shoulders. We are treated to a glance into his inner monologue during ‘The Girl For You’, as he dreams about what could happen if he chooses to settle with a girl completely unlike him. Lipkin showcases his natural flair for comedy, complete with funny voices and the ability to say so much by saying very little. We also see a softer side to Aaron during ‘The Things I Never Said’, a touching and heartfelt dream sequence duet between Aaron and his mother, played by Steers.
As Casey, Barks is able to show her performance range, both in comedy and big serious moments. Casey is a confident, extroverted, larger-than-life character who likes to give the impression that she has everything worked out. She steers Aaron through the date, clearly in charge from the outset. She may not come across as a character who is particularly easy to like at first but as the evening progresses, you find yourself wanting the best for her, especially after her big ballad ‘Safer’, when she debates with herself about the walls she has put up and the desire to tear them down.
I have to give a big shout out to the three-piece ensemble of this piece: Nick McLean, Danielle Steers and Oscar Conlon-Morrey, as they play multiple characters and delight us with their comedic flair throughout. I lost count of how many wigs Steers wore throughout the evening and marvelled at how she managed to keep a straight face during ‘In Love With You’. Nick McLean delights throughout, bouncing from playing attention seeking best friend Reggie, to a bad boy ex of Casey’s and Aaron’s best friend Gabe, desperately trying to get him to stick with the date. Oscar Conlon-Morrey had me in stitches throughout as the “eager to please” waiter, even entertaining the viewers before the show started and during the short 3-minute interval. His big moment, ‘I’d Order Love’, is a work of comedy genius and I won’t give too much away but watch out for the puppet! Conlon-Morrey is a natural comedian and I would personally love to see him as Dewey Finn in School of Rock one day.
The show was put together extremely well with clever editing throughout by Dean Johnson. Colour is used brilliantly to signal changes from real life to dream sequences and inner thoughts, plus a clever use of editing allows for characters to pop up over the main action. It’s all slick and polished, like a fun and larger-than-life musical sitcom. The music is fun and catchy, using a variety of styles with each song brilliantly moving the action along. There are moments where the plot is a little predictable but with the well-developed and overall likable characters, you can easily look past this. By the end of First Date, even the coldest heart will be feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
First Date is an amazingly funny digital production with a variety of characters brought to life with ease and who will have you smiling from ear to ear. The classic moments of a first date are highlighted in new and hilarious ways, from the awkward first meeting (complete with Covid-safe elbow bump), the dreaded “I googled you” talk and the much feared “friend zone” questions. This may be a production we have to watch through our computer screens but thanks to the brilliant editing and the various locations, you feel as if you are watching a full show and I only hope that we get to see it in the flesh one day in the not too distant future.
I must also say well done to whoever was running Lambert Jackson Productions Twitter account last night for their fantastic interactions with those watching and getting involved on the #firstdatemusical hashtag. The social aspect and interactions made the evening even more enjoyable.
Tickets can be purchased to watch First Date tonight or tomorrow night here.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Rebecca Wallis
