Book, Lyrics & Music by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss
History
After their success with the record-breaking, ‘Six’. Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, who met in the Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society (CUMTS) faced the ‘difficult second album’. This prompted them to attend a writer's retreat in Connecticut with the kernel of an idea for a musical about diva worship. However, as they began working on ideas, they were drawn to talk about their own dating lives and those of their friends, and realised that they wanted to write a musical with an “almost boringly normal” setting: two friends sitting on a sofa, drinking prosecco and dissecting their relatably chaotic lives. They also wanted to portray a relationship between a woman and a queer person that felt more authentic than the tired old “gay best friend” trope of the 1990s. As a result, Marlow and Moss began writing a musical loosely based on their own experiences, focusing on the friendship between a female and a character who (like Marlow) is non-binary.
In 2023, a developmental workshop was held at the Lilian Baylis Studio Theatre at Sadler's Wells, including a semi-staged public workshop presentation performed for a ticketed audience. On 14th February 2024, a launch event was held to announce plans for the musical's premiere, with it originally being billed as ‘A Big Fancy Musical’. It was then announced that ‘Why Am I So Single ?’ would play in the West End at the Garrick Theatre from August 2024. Jo Foster and Leesa Tulley (a veteran of ‘Six’) were cast in the lead roles, with Foster reprising their role from the workshop. Preview performances began on 27th August 2024. The production is directed by Moss, with choreography by Ellen Kane, and a set design by Moi Tran.
Story
Loosely based on the lives of its authors, ‘Why Am I So Single ?’ follows two musical theatre writers and best friends, one female (Nancy) and one non-binary (Oliver), who are struggling to navigate the frustrations of being constantly single while also trying to write a musical. It is set in Oliver’s flat with regular flashbacks, and as with its predecessor features songs in a variety of styles.
In A Nutshell
‘We’re not leaving this flat until we’ve worked out why we are so single !’
Production
I caught what turned out to be Press Night. I was in the back row of the Circle at the Garrick Theatre, but had a wonderful view. Following a prologue, we found ourselves in Oliver’s flat, and were introduced to our protagonists, ‘Friends’ and Musical Theatre enthusiasts Oliver (Foster) and Nancy (Tulley), renamed after characters from their favourite musical, following another disastrous dating experience for Nancy. Over multiple glasses of wine, they decide to work out quite why their dating life is so disastrous. The ensemble were swiftly put to work firstly as furniture in the flat, and then in a rapid rush through Oliver’s last eight terrible dates. In fact, save Noah Thomas playing their mutual friend, Artie, none of them had a regular part, each playing a multitude of clubgoers, potential suitors etc.
The script was very funny, and given the concept, very meta with the fourth-wall being regularly broken. There were also a few musical theatre parodies, including a brief callback to Marlow & Moss’ previous success. The songs also came thick and fast, with the clever lyrics that made ‘Six’ such a success, meaning that I almost wished for surtitles as some of them were rattled out. (Also if the song title ‘I Got Off The Plane’ means anything to you, this musical is for you) The choreography, particularly from the ensemble was also wonderful. The plot as was the writers’ intention was wafer-thin, but that didn’t matter, with very little happening, despite them now having twice the time to fill. The set was understated, but very clever, and I was particularly amused by a pun written backwards on a café window in one flashback.
Both leads were amazing, particularly when they were telling each other home truths, when Foster went into full diva/nightclub singer mode, and Tulley’s emotional moments, particularly her song relating to loss. The whole cast received a massive ovation during the bows and this would seem to be perfect for any fans of ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ or ‘Six’.
Definitely recommended.
Favourite Song
It has to be – ‘C U Never’ – Artie’s big number (with its amazing choreography), closely followed by ‘Interlude in B Minor’, ‘Disco Ball’ and the title song ‘Why Am I So Single ?’
Did I Buy The Cast Recording ?
I will, when it is released.
Links
Production Website: https://whyamisosingle.com/
Videos: Why Am I So Single? - YouTube
No comments:
Post a Comment