Ex, Soho - review

Soul mates: Keith (Simon Thomas) and Claire (Siobhan Dillon)
10 April 2012

Let's start with the positive. It's good to see a subsidised theatre supporting that rare creature, the new British musical. Ex takes the route of recent Fringe successes and strips everything back to basics, employing just one onstage piano to accompany the four actors. Rob Young's script has its sassy moments and Ross Lorraine's score its catchy numbers but overall this amiably frustrating show could - and should - have been a whole lot sharper.

The biggest problem of the evening, and not just for Ruby (Amy Booth-Steel), is Jack. Gerard Carey took over the role late on but his character, a supposed "lovable rogue", is utterly without a hint of a redeeming feature. Why he would cause the ex he mistreated to think again as she teeters on the brink of a life-changing decision is beyond me and any sane woman.

Thus the bar stools are drawn up for a longish night of the soul, made longer when current partners Claire (Siobhan Dillon) and Keith (Simon Thomas) enter the fray. Tricia Thorns's production boasts a cherishable tap routine from the latter pair, and the quartet makes a lovely noise as a four.

Yet rarely have so few characters left so many belongings behind, precipitating repeated returns to the action and changes of heart each time. We can root for love thwarted by obstacles, but not love thwarted by self-induced idiocy.

Until December 3 (020 7478 0100, soho theatre.com)

EX
Soho Theatre
Dean Street, W1D 3NE

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