New romcom musical Lovestuck is the theatre equivalent of a joyful summer beach read and could easily become one of this season's best sellers.
Based very loosely on the real story of Poo-Girl, this story of finding love by being true to yourself features a happily upbeat score and a '90s film romcom vibe.
30-somethings Peter and Lucy are conventionally attractive and likeable, but, their nerdiness being Lord of the Rings-adjacent, they do not have much success on dating apps.
On hand to share their expertise are Peter's shallowly toxic ex-flatmate, David, and Lucy's confidence-demolishing alter ego, Miseraie, their advice in some ways reminiscent of a plot reversal of Grease.
On their first date, it goes well and Lucy goes back to Peter's quirky new flat, but then it all goes to pot, or perhaps that should be potty, thanks to a temperamental toilet flush, a recalcitrant poo and a locked window.
When Peter asks for David's help to rescue Lucy, who has become stuck in the outlandishly constructed bathroom window unit (losing her dignity but hanging on to her business), epitome of indiscretion David posts a photo #PooGirl #WorstDateEver. Predictably it goes viral, and Lucy goes underground, prompting valiant action from the gentle Peter.
Lovestuck is the creation of James Cooper and directed by his My Dad Wrote A Porno podcast partner, Jamie Morton, with music by Bryn Christopher and Martin Batchelar and lyrics by Bryn Christopher and James Cooper.
It is a successful mix of contemporary story with customary romcom storytelling right up to the foreseeable high-risk, but not really, public declaration of love and uplifting ending. The score is buoyant, scattered with comic songs often adopting an atypical angle and frequently furnished with neatly waggish phrases.
Choreographer Chi-San Howard provides just one Gene Kelly-ish stroke of bliss in the first act's "Underneath" with Callum Connolly (ensemble) and Shane O'Riordan (terrific as Peter), but this limitation is likely because at short notice attention was diverted elsewhere in rehearsals after lead Jessica Boshier became injured, propelling cover Lucy, Ambra Caserotti, into the main role, which she delivers with charm and conviction.
The show is hugely enjoyable, though it suffers from some imbalances. The narrative feels weighted in favour of Lucy and Lucy and Miseraie (a spot-on performance from Bridgette Amofah), and the on-off patchiness of the narration (voiced by Alison Steadman) reinforces its superfluity.
Marcus Ayton sparkles as the obligatory gay best friend, completing the family of romcom characters and adding to the effortless fun of this easy to watch show. One could be sniffy about it, but Lovestuck is irresistible.