The Other Palace Studio – until 12 October 2025
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
3***
Housemates navigating love’s ups and downs is a familiar and fertile source of inspiration. Seth Bisen-Hersh’s lively show plays like a coyer musical version of 1994 film Threesome with an added enemies to lovers plotline, with shades of Friends and Company as characters advise their friends on their love lives as their own crash and burn.
Lili (Ayesha Patel) is studying for her masters, but despite her knowledge and passion for feminism, can’t seem to let go of her love for Ryan (Lewis Bear Brown), her boyfriend from school. Lili knows that Ryan is gay, but they have a weird codependent relationship going on. Ryan has a thing for straight men and has a crush on Chris (Tom Newland). When Ryan moves in with his new boyfriend, he invites Chris to take over his room at Lili’s, but Chris has history with housemate Stepahanie (Clodagh Greene), who has just separated from her husband and is not pleased to see Chris move in.
Cecilie Fray’s direction on Bob Sterrett’s versatile and bright set creates a dynamic but cosy atmosphere. Mark Childers book has many funny lines but occasionally feels as if rather than actually addressing the characters’ problems, the material is simply filler leading up to either a punchline or an emotional ballad. The ballads are great – no complaints there – but scenes between songs can feel like separate sketches rather than coherent plotlines. The funny songs are fantastic, with Lewis Bear Brown and Ayesha Patel stealing the show with their vastly different comedic skills. Newland and Greene handle the relationship between Chris and Stephanie brilliantly, both making you care about their cliched characters. The vocals are amazing, soaring in the Other Palace Studio with Tom Noyes on piano providing excellent accompaniment.
Love Quirks could have dug a little deeper into unrequited love, but is a sweet, fluffy show that will warm your heart on a cold autumn night.