"About Love". Burton Taylor Studio. Review by Anuj Mishra

A slightly loopy professor locks three couples in his house and prods them with psychoanalysis until they break. The concept is the stuff of psychological horror, but writer Sasha Ivanova’s About Love somehow morphs this unsettling idea into charm, with smatterings of the profound.

The play, directed by Ivanova herself alongside Priya Toberman, is bookended by the monologue of our mad scientist’s wife, Lara (Lara Ibrahim), who forms the beating heart of the play. Lara feels like the realest character when set alongside the various ‘types’ represented by the others – young and old, ostensibly perfect and really perfect, and, for some reason, a closet case – and Ibrahim’s performance in the role was subtle yet touching.

Indeed, most of the play consisted of monologue prodded on by intense questioning, sometimes by the scientist Frank (Rohan Joshi), and at other times by other characters. Moving beyond the drabness of staging a set of couple therapy sessions with an analyst, the three structuring ‘interviews’ were punctuated by creatively choreographed dance sequences and parallel exploratory scenes. A highlight showed Frank questioning all the male characters simultaneously, who each answered in turn while sat facing the audience, apparently unaware of each other’s presence.

As dramatic monologues meshed together, we were treated to a jukebox of cosy love songs – Doris Day and Cass Elliot – a soothing counterpoint to the breakdowns and break-ups the play enfolded. At points, the plot seemed to move with a touch too much haste, particularly with the fate of the first couple – played by Fiona Bestrova and George Lyons – who otherwise both did an excellent job at playing the over-extreme rollercoaster of puppy love.

Moments of well-placed comedy were furnished by Elisabeth Freeman and James Hunter, with both skilfully incorporating the play’s naturalism with laughter. The final couple, a pair of old lovebirds played by Melissa Chetata-Brooks and Grace Yu, were far too perfect to be true – though we all need something to aspire to.

The play stayed true to its professedly ‘60s setting with some excellently chosen costumery (by Ananya Parakh). Short, sweet, and set in a summer of love, About Love is a cosy, sepia-tinted gem of new writing. Armed with some clever narrative and talented performers, it has the makings of a great play.

At the Burton-Taylor Studio, 7.30pm, until 23^rd November.

Runtime: 70 minutes.