Book: Austin Winsberg
Music and Lyrics: Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner
Director: James Edge
First dates are usually a rollercoaster of emotions. The pre-date excitement and adrenaline followed swiftly by nerves and trepidation. No doubt this is how the team at the Old Joint Stock must have been feeling on opening night as they deliver the UK premiere of this fun, bouncy and hilarious musical of love. Don’t worry, the romantic cliché storylines that might be found in other musicals haven’t found their way in this one. Instead this production directed by James Edge is full of energy, audience interaction, taboo comedy, and even some puppetry thrown in there. First Date The Musical was born out of Seattle back in 2012 before a Broadway transfer a year later. Despite the show bringing its glitz and glamour to other countries around the world, it is only now that it has premiered on a UK stage.
On arrival into the small, intimate theatre, you are greeted by the waiter. Joey Warne is the man in charge of making sure everyone is in their seats and ready for the show to begin, adding a realistic feel to make the audience believe they are watching from within the bar. This is only the beginning for Warne though, who goes on to deliver an excellent performance in the role known simply as ‘Man 2’. There is nothing simple about the charisma that he brings to the part though, with over the top facial expressions, delightful dancing and a ton of sass. When you mix all of these together it produces a cocktail of laugh out loud comedy that the whole audience appreciates.
Aaron and Casey are the potential happy couple who will be wined and dined. Aaron’s nerves get to him straight away and is helpfully described as looking desperate by the waiter to reassure him as his date arrives. Casey has a strong personality and knows what she wants. She’s a serial dater and has seen it all before. She likes a bad boy so Aaron is in an alien concept to her in the world of dating. Can the two hit it off or will it all fall apart before the drinks have arrived?
Michali Dantes does a fine job portraying the awkwardness of Aaron, depicting a lost puppy who is clearly inexperienced in the dating world. The audience get to appreciate a more serious side to his character as the show goes on, learning about his past and what has led him to this moment. Rokaya is making her professional debut in this production but you wouldn’t know it with her exemplary job in portraying the bullishness and intimidating presence that Casey brings at the beginning of her time with Aaron.
Tom Kiteley and Lowri Hamer bring similar amounts of humour to their parts. Despite playing multiple roles, Kiteley excels when interacting with the audience and his delivery of the ‘Bailout Song’. Hamer’s best moments come in the role of Allison, who broke Aaron’s heart and subjected him to the torment of restarting the dating cycle once more.
The vocals don’t blow the world away but what might be lost here is more than made up for by the personal, intimate feel of a musical in a small-scale venue, and this theatre should be championed more widely when compared to multi-million pound productions. Rokaya’s vocal range is excellent and the whole cast bring an abundance of energy from the start of the show with the opening number “The One”. A special mention must also go to Warne and Kiteley for their emotional, hilarious and almost sexual duet as the edgy ex-boyfriends.
The atmospheric lighting, lit-up backdrops and groovy music complement the show well. For its UK premiere, the Old Joint Stock have done a fine job in presenting this comedic rollercoaster of a musical. Find yourself a first date, have a drink in the Old Joint pub and make your way upstairs to take in this priceless show.
Runs until 25 August 2024
