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Heavy meta: Why am I So Single? @sosinglemusical

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Being young and single never seemed so fun, full of energy, yet full of contradictions in this high-concept meta-musical, Why Am I So Single? The fourth wall is not so much broken as endlessly pummelled as the cast talks directly to the audience. Frequently. But essentially, it’s about young people with neuroses and smartphone addiction exploring why they can’t find love in present-day London. Told with a series of spectacular songs and dance scenes in this new musical from the creators of Six, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. But while we don’t necessarily get an answer that rings true to the question posed by this show, you are likely to be distracted mainly by the energy and the songs. It’s currently playing at the Garrick Theatre.  A new musical based on an original idea, the premise is that Oliver (Jo Foster) and Nancy (Leesa Tulley) - which are not their real names but names taken from their favourite musical, Oliver - have to write a new musical but are stuck for an idea. So, after e

Opening up on the road: Autobahn @KingsHeadThtr

Neil LaBute's Autobahn, now playing at the Kings Head Theatre, explores over seven short vignettes how sitting in a car be a cathartic experience. Or a chance to just talk crap. While the focus is America, the themes are universal.

Often funny and never boring, each vignette involves two people.  Sharon Maughan (Holby City, The Bank Job, She’s Out of My League), Henry Everett (Michael Grandage’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Tom Slatter (Robot Overlords), and Zoe Swenson-Graham (Our Town) play the various characters, changing characters as quickly as a change in gears.


The production uses some simple projections and a beat up BMW to evoke the driving experience. It is simple, yet effective with this strong cast.

My favourite piece of the seven was  Merge, where Maughan eventually reveals to her partner Everett that she wasn't quite attacked by two men. The repartee and the slow burn of this piece is hilarious.

Although like any car journey where the road is long or the traffic is heavy, it is occasionally a tad frustrating to watch. The cramped seats and very warm conditions of the Kings Head Theatre don't help. But I did find these conditions evoking from my childhood long torturous drives in a car without air-conditioning or adequate leg room.

Produced by London based production company Savio(u)r, which is dedicated to presenting work by American playwrights in the UK, programming new writing and revivals. It runs until 20 September.

The Kings Head Theatre in Islington also pays performers and stage managers in Opera UpClose and King's Head Theatre productions an Equity-approved rate for rehearsals and performances, which is their commitment to paying artists and stage managers a fair wage for the work that they do.

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Photo credit: Production photos by Scott Rylander


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