A meta musical for monadic millennials
★★★☆☆
Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the creative duo behind Six the Musical, bring us their latest West End outing, Why Am I So Single? Leaving behind the Tudor queens, Marlow and Moss have penned a humorous and heartfelt semi-autobiographical insight into their love lives and the modern dating experience. It’s saucy, packed with euphemisms, and offers a highly relatable glimpse into the modern dating experience, but its storytelling stamina is far from a perfect match.
Centred around best friends Oliver and Nancy, named for Marlow and Moss’s adoration of Oliver! The Musical (expect vast quantities of musical theatre references), the duo spend the evening dissecting the reasoning behind their inability to find romance all whilst peeking around the fourth wall. Oliver (Jo Foster) laments over potential matches flaking on dates, though never quite comfortable letting anyone get too close and Nancy (Leesa Tulley) is still hung up on the ex that she left several years ago, stuck comparing him to every other guy she meets. The pair wallow in their self-pity before being forced to confront the reality of themselves, the hard truth reflected in their phone screens - one hypothesis being that men are in fact trash.
Marlow and Moss thrive in their ability to write catchy and engaging numbers, “8 Dates” is an instant hit, no wonder it has formed a large proportion of their marketing material, with Jo Foster excelling and delighting in their role. It’s pop-y, authentic and deeply relevant to those who have been in the trenches of app-based dating. Choreography from co-director Ellen Kane is an absolute stand-out in the production, unsurprising when you browse her CV. The ensemble are magnetic in her movement, swirling around the stage with precise explosions of dynamism. This is once again true in the act two song “Disco Ball”, as Foster’s character relates the lived queer experience to having to perform whilst internalising learnt shame - an intense and moving number in which Foster and the cast shine. Marlow and Moss also impress with slower ballads, the guiding lyrics effortlessly truthful and sincere. “Just in Case” is a perfect example of this, with Leesa Tulley providing graceful and heartbreaking vocals as she mourns what was (casting directors get ready to hear this one on the regular).
Though Ellen Kane’s choreography is exquisite, a personal favourite number being “ C U Never” led by the fabulous Noah Thomas, with the cast tap dancing along to the rhythm of texting using their converted Converse tap shoes (great work too from costume designer Max Johns), it is Jo Foster and Leesa Tulley that naturally steal the show. They ensure the characters are relatable and grounded, even when continually breaking the fourth wall. Their comedic presence and chemistry are first-class, both surely future regulars in the West End and beyond.
Where this musical begins to creak is in its book. Like with Six, Marlow and Moss prove that when running with a distinct concept they can produce brilliant music and humour but where they sadly lack is their narrative storytelling. This show quickly begins to run out of steam and forces itself round and round, travelling down repetitive avenues until finally we fight through the padding and find ourselves at an abrupt ending. Simply put this show could have been half the length and twice as impactful. It unnecessarily treads water as it struggles in which direction to go, the character development unfinished and suffering as a result. Did we really need a song about a bee? I fear too that this production may alienate some audiences in its reliance on millennial humour and references, cutting out younger audiences in particular, who would very much benefit from seeing an uplifting and reflective show such as this.
After meandering through the cyclical plot points, the piece does offer some beautifully honest words that young (and not so young) theatregoers might need to hear: whether you are queer, straight, trans or cis, platonic love is just as vital as the romantic love. Why Am I So Single? Is a cheeky and heartfelt musical with incredible performances that is in desperate need of a stronger book to expel its narrative hiccups.
Currently booking until 13th February 2025 - Tickets
Photography - Danny Kaan
