First Date Review, filmed at the Crazy Coqs

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/lambertjacksonproductions/

Ironic isn't it that I am going to be talking about something that during the past 7 months has become an almost non-existent way of life: dating! 

Oh the irony!

After triumphing with The Last Five Years and Songs For A New World (including an IN-PERSON run of that show at the Palladium), Lambert Jackson have steered away from Jason Robert-Brown for the time being, and went this time for a show that has never been seen in the UK before (well outside a workshop performance at least): First Date. 

Set in a present day New York bar, it follows.. well... a first date. The couple in question is Casey, a BDS (or Blind Date Slut) and the BDV (or Blind Date Virgin) Aaron. She's laid back and carefree. He's a bit more serious. 

How will it go?

First Date is written by Austin Winsberg, Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, and had a short run on Broadway in 2013 starring Krysta Rodriguez and one of my favourite hotties Zachary Levi, as Casey and Aaron respectively. It only lasted a few months though and didn't get the greatest reception. 

This version was filmed at London's Crazy Coqs, a favourite cabaret venue for many an MT star, directed by Dean Johnson. It stars Samantha Barks as Casey and Simon Lipkin as Aaron, both of whom are extremely likeable in their roles. You also get to see their inner heads playing at work (like little angels and devils on their shoulders), which can lead the date going into, shall we say, interesting directions. 

I especially liked seeing Lipkin showing us how talented he really is. He's known in the industry for being a funny-man, from playing parts such as Trekkie Monster, Nathan Detroit and Mr Poppy - but this showed us how good his voice really is and that he can do more than just make people laugh.  

But it's not only Barks and Lipkin in this cast. Supporting them (and playing every other character) was Nicolas McLean, Danielle Steers and Oscar Conlon-Morrey. Each of them had their time to shine: whether that being Reggie the panicking best friend, Lauren the cynical sister, or my personal favourite, the head waiter. Conlon-Morrey made me cry laughing with almost every line he said. And that's not even mentioning his puppet work or the cabaret number he did in the middle of the show. He knocked it out of the park! And yes, I did shout musical (if you've seen it, you'll know). 

I must be honest and say that I hadn't heard much about this show other than it's rather cheesy. To which I say yeah it is. But it's also cute, awkward (you do cringe sometimes at the giant faux-pas these two make), very funny: and also vulnerable when you least expect it. Safer, the first time Casey lets her walls down to the audience, is a prime example of that. 

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/lambertjacksonproductions/

But it will make you laugh a lot more. I've already mentioned the Head Waiter's antics, but it's also that First Date partly acts as a parody too... It makes fun out of the stages of a first date: from First Impressions, to The (very) Awkward Pause, and the very important question, who pays The Check - see what I mean.. They even name the songs after these!

First Date is to be honest, just what we need when the clocks are about to be turned back. Yes the idea of putting on a dating musical in the current climate is a bit odd. But, like a good rom-com, it's the escapism we need. 

If you would like to see it, you had better be free tonight (24th October), as tonight is the last chance. You can get tickets for tonight's performance here: https://www.fane.co.uk/our-shows/first-date-the-musical/about-the-show 

Fingers crossed when this is all over, I can do something about my own singleness.... 😅