Review: I’M GONNA MARRY YOU TOBEY MAGUIRE, Southwark Playhouse

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

The absurd becomes grounded and the insane becomes almost understandable in the European premiere of Samantha Hurley’s I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire at Southwark Playhouse Borough this summer.

The premise is truly bonkers; 14 year old president of the Tobey Maguire Fan Club, Shelby (Tessa Albertson) has kidnapped, yes, kidnapped the very same Hollywood heartthrob of the 2000’s that her fan club is named after (TM is played by Anders Hayward). With Maguire chained to a pole in her basement, Shelby confides in him as she experiences a somewhat warped childhood, which is all we can say without spoiling anything further as we feel that the series of events that follow are best experienced as a rollercoaster of complete surprise.

Somehow though, and quite surprisingly, through all of the out of this world absurdity and high comedy, there remains an emotional heart to the piece. Hurley manages to tread the line between moments of laughter and emotional intensity incredibly well, making for an unpredictable evening that wins you over fast, and once you’ve bought into the premise, has your emotions in the palm of its hand.

Tessa Albertson throws everything at her high energy, all encompassing performance, and, while we at WEBF don’t condone kidnapping of *any kind*, let alone previous Spidermen, we couldn’t help but root for and empathise with her character Shelby, thanks to her full engagement and commitment to the role, even its most absurd elements.

Other show stopping supporting roles in this play are provided by the brilliant Kyle Birch, a deservedly self-assured performer with a perfect grasp on the comedy in this show; Birch is surely a performer to keep any eye out for in the future, Besties!

We must also give recognition to set designer Rodrigo Hernandez Martinez for his quite frankly jaw dropping collage of Maguire that encompasses the audience and front of house area of the theatre, as well as the brilliantly 2000’s basement set design.

To round up Besties, if you’re looking for comedy, blended with a surprisingly emotional through line, and a healthy mix of Tobey Maguire, Southwark Playhouse is the place to be.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Matthew Foster

I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire plays at Southwark Playhouse Borough until 10 August, with further info here.