Writer: Mark Gerrard
Director: Andrew Keates
Steve’s birthday has forced him to put his life under a magnifying glass. Gone are the days where he’d sing showtunes in a shabby restaurant – the wild parties have dried up and he’s living (somewhat) responsibly with his partner of 16 years and their adopted son. Trying to find a new path in a world while dodging the obstacles of monogamy, middle-age, musicals and monotony is proving to be a struggle, but can he get his life back on track before it’s too late?
Set and costume designer Lee Newby has transformed the beautiful space at Seven Dials Playhouse and created an impeccably perfect backdrop for this brilliant play. Utilising digital screens to transport the audience into different locations – be it a Starbucks or a fancy restaurant – the level of detail is magnificent. Little touches such as projecting subtitles for brief Spanish speaking scenes onto the back walls, or digitally displaying text messages while characters are talking elevates this performance to an impressive all-encompassing West End show. The rotating stage becomes imperative for the tense scenes between the characters, who work together to take the audience on a whirlwind of emotions.
Mark Gerrard’s script brings the audience on a mentally tumultuous journey. It’s full of comedy, Broadway references and quick-witted retorts, but with really serious undertones of death, fidelity and morality. With so many spinning plates it could have become an overload of storylines and subplots, but Gerrard and director Andrew Keates, juggle them excellently, keeping a perfect balance between humour and emotion at any given time.
This exceptional script requires a deeply talented cast to be able to pull off the sass and emotion needed and thankfully, absolutely every single actor delivered 150%. David Ames plays a wonderful Steve – highly-strung, intensely caring and sharp-tounged. He commandeers attention and delivers each snappy line with perfection, whether it’s whispered, shouted or sung. The chemistry between Ames and the rest of the cast is undeniable, each of them rhythmically moving between each other and keeping up with the high speed of the show. Matt (Michael Walters) and Brian (Giles Cooper) are hilariously portrayed as part of a free-spirited throuple. Esteban (Nico Conde) as the exotic, flirty stranger ties the whole story together; partner Stephen’s (Joe Aaron Reid) serious, bourgeoisie manner is a great contrast to Steve, and Carrie’s illness (Jenna Russell) is approached somehow both delicately and brash, which works perfectly in the New York based setting.
Steve is fast-paced, funny and fabulous. With a runtime of 90 minutes, it isn’t nearly long enough for how invested you become in these brilliantly crafted characters. Each of them are so superbly layered that they all deserve their own focus under the spotlight, so until we get an Esteban, Carrie or Matt sequel; a second or third viewing of Steve will have to suffice!
Runs until 19 March 2022
