Review: SPUTNIK SWEETHEART, Arcola Theatre

Melly Still’s production of Sputnik Sweetheart at  the Arcola Theatre is a sublimely surreal and romantic show that does justice to Murakami’s novel.

We are invited into a world of likeable young characters chatting away in their quietly sardonic way, smoking cigarettes and drinking beer - aspiring writer Sumire, whose idol is Kerouac,  and her male best friend K who is completely in love with her. Thrown into the mix is 17 years Sumire’s senior, Mui, whom Sumire meets and bonds with over a love of classical music and some unspoken mysterious connection. 

The tale is one of human themes of love and loneliness and Still’s direction brings out these heartfelt themes in a romantic, visually beautiful, atmospheric and gently gripping way. The story isn’t interested in tying itself up neatly but we would argue this is part of its beauty. 

Murakami’s story and Still’s interpretation of it gives its recipients the opportunity to experience the emotions of characters on stage incredibly similar to our own, providing comfort in being held for 80 minutes in an elevated imaginary world. The magical elements leave the audience with many questions – but isn’t this true to the human experience?

A palpably atmospheric world is created with likeable characters whose loneliness and unrequited love dilemmas elicits endearing laughter from the audience in recognition of their relatability. All elements of design from set, lighting, sound and projection come together to create a magical world. Animated video design by Sonoko Obuchi portrays adolescent like drawings of things ranging from cucumbers to orbits in space, which adds to the innocent somewhat nostalgic feeling of this 90s set play.  Shizuka Hariu’s set design provides a wonderful yet minimalist playground for the tight knit cast who play with the central set piece being a phone box. Wrapped up in a telephone chord, the ensemble intertwine with their bodies in lyrical choreography by Still that reflects the messiness of human romantic relationships as people love, reject and strive. The phone box acts as a merry-go-round, a portal between countries as characters travel to Italy and Greece, and eventually develops into a portal from reality into another universe.

The cast are all magnetic to watch. Shining performances by Milicent Wong (as Sumire) and Natsumi Kuroda stand out as an effective duo. There isn’t a single moment when we don’t believe in the strength of their magnitude and chemistry. K (Naruto Komatsy) plays the unreliable but charming narrator who tells us from the very beginning of his vested interests. We can’t help but feel for him as he compares his desire to a cold cucumber which then becomes a projected image.

This is a heartfelt and poetic production that will make you chuckle, reflect, cry and make you wish you could live a day in Murakami’s universe.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Viv Williams

Sputnik Sweetheart plays at London’s Arcola Theatre until 25 November, with further information here