(Pic by Val Adamson: Roland Perold and Steven Stead with Lisa Bobbert and Jessica Sole)Durban audiences can now revel in this excellent piece of theatre. (Review by Caroline Smart)
I first saw Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts’ I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at last year’s National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. The original 1996 production is the second-longest running Off-Broadway musical in the history of Broadway and it’s also been translated into 13 languages. It’s easy to see why.
Durban audiences can now revel in this excellent piece of theatre, beautifully handled by the multi-multi-award winning KickstArt Company. This time it is designer Greg King in the director’s seat with Steven Stead on stage for a change! Add the incredible Lisa Bobbert, the exciting Jessica Sole and engaging Roland Perold (who was in the Grahamstown production).
Plus there’s Marklyn Govender and Clint Singh’s attractive costume coordination, choreography by Janna Ramos-Violante and sound design by Megan Levy. Add elegantly dressed Musical Director Justin Southey at the keyboard and Jane Baillie on violin and the stakes are high. Then there’s Greg King’s clever and highly effective set of romantic greeting cards, superbly lit by Tina le Roux, and you have a sure-fire winner!
On the face of it, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is a glorious romp through a series of vignettes dealing with relationships. The book and lyrics are by Joe DiPietro with the music by Jimmy Roberts. The play's tagline is "Everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit."
However, look a little deeper and you’ll find the issues that make up relationships – the joy, the pathos, the irritations, the excitement and the journey of love. Then there’s the awkwardness of first dates, children and the life-altering process they produce - as well as the inevitable despair at the death of a life partner. The success of a relationship shows in the comfortableness of two people who know and understand each other so well, they need very little conversation.
Look even further and you will appreciate the creator’s acute observation of the human psyche. Why do we behave the way we do? What do we expect of a partner? And if we are so happy to forge a union with someone, why do we want to change him or her? Do we not consider all angles before we fall in love? Of course we don’t, we are driven by emotions, not logic. Which means we invariably have to do some serious adjusting later on in the relationship!
However, that’s all academic stuff. This production will appeal to everyone – even those who never want to enter a relationship in their lifetime! Sadly, they will miss out. The tantrums, arguments, fun, romantic moments and shared experiences shape our maturity.
As the script and lyrics are clearly written with American phrasing and sayings, the cast use American accents. From the opening a cappella number to the end which sees them dressed in flowing monks’ robes, this is very much an ensemble piece but each actor shines in a myriad of different characters, costumes and wigs. Roland Perold, who was in the Grahamstown production, impresses once again along with Jessica Sole who is fast becoming one of the most exciting stars on Durban’s theatre scene. Steven Stead, proving that he still has what it takes to be a compelling performer, shines in his scenes with Lisa Bobbert.
This production is perfect for Lisa Bobbert as it requires a major amount of versatility and she breezes through, appearing as a credible character each time. In a particular vignette, she only says one word and nearly steals the scene from Steven Stead in the process!
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change runs until February 27 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. Tickets R100 or R120 can be booked at Computicket. Performances Wednesday to Saturday at 19h30 with Saturday matinees at 14h30 (Sundays at 18h00). There is a special additional performance on Valentine’s Day, February 14, at 19h30. Tickets R150 include a glass of sparkling wine. For block booking, special event enquiries and package deals, contact Ailsa Windsor on 083 250 2690 or email: ailswn@mweb.co.za – Caroline Smart
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