Last updated on March 9th, 2019
Photo by Richard Davenport
Dirty Great Love Story was just the tonic I needed after an extraordinarily peculiar week on the world stage. It’s a one-man and one-woman romp directed by Pia Furtado and with some energetic performances by Felix Scott and Ayesha Antoine, executed mostly in rhyme. Originally a 10-minute award-winning Edinburgh Fringe piece, written in 2012 by Richard Marsh and Katie Bonna, it’s now made its West End debut at the Arts Theatre in Covent Garden.
Photos by Richard Davenport
Meet Richard, an awkward, geeky and lovable “knight in shining glasses.” Meet Katie, a recently dumped gluten-intolerant singleton, prone to alcoholic mishaps and with a bad case of sarcasm. The pair meet at a hen and stag do in a nightclub and have the obligatory shameful one-night stand in a Travelodge, thinking they will never meet again.
What follows is a succession of fender-benders between them over the next two years at barbecues, Christmas parties, festivals, weddings and christenings. They’re joined on stage by Richard’s best friend Westy, the Northerner and CC, Katie’s irritating la-di-da friend. There’s also Richard’s girlfriend Lindsay and Katie’s boyfriend Matt who should really be called Pratt. All six roles are seamlessly played by Scott and Antoine and with great comedic dexterity.
Photo by Richard Davenport
It’s not really that dirty: there’s a blow-job gone wrong and an awkward breast cupping moment, but on the whole this is an adorable rom-com à la Richard Curtis meets Bridget Jones. A tacky Christmas jumper and obligatory wedding country pile even make an appearance. Yes, Dirty Great Love Story was most definitely the gin, the tonic and the lemon that I needed!
Playing at The Arts Theatre until the 18th March 2017
Tickets from £20 – £45
Run time: 85 minutes with no interval
About the Arts Theatre
The Arts Theatre in Covent Garden is only a 1 minute walk from Leicester Square tube station. It’s a cosy, intimate playhouse with 350 seats in the main auditorium and 60 seats on the first floor. There’s a members’ only cocktail bar downstairs but you can gate-crash with an Arts Theatre ticket. The Madd Hatter’s Café in the theatre foyer serves yummy Fortnum and Mason’s cakes, but it’s the tea lattes that have me smiling like a Cheshire cat (try the macadamia or the butterscotch).
20 Comments
Louise
February 5, 2017 at 11:29 amGreat post, Scarlett. I love your theatre reviews – and the Mad Hatter’s Café certainly looks like it’s worth a try! Yum Yum
X Louise
DiaryofaLondoness
February 6, 2017 at 11:33 amThanks Louise. I will always find any excuse for yummy cake! Scarlett x
Miriam - londonkitchendiaries.com
February 2, 2017 at 11:25 amThis sounds like a lovely romantic piece, Richard seems like such a cute character “knight in shining glasses”, amazing 🙂
DiaryofaLondoness
February 3, 2017 at 8:16 amHi Miriam, it’s very cute, and yes, Richard is too!
Katia
February 2, 2017 at 9:00 amVery good review! Thanks
DiaryofaLondoness
February 3, 2017 at 8:16 amThank you Katia! Scarlett x
Saloni
February 1, 2017 at 9:47 amRight up my street! Think I would love it. Thank you for sharing!
DiaryofaLondoness
February 1, 2017 at 9:48 amI hope you enjoy it Saloni! Scarlett x
Shelley Goodman
February 1, 2017 at 12:26 amSounds like another London piece headed for the cinema. Has Richard Curtis seen it, I wonder?
DiaryofaLondoness
February 1, 2017 at 4:51 amLove is all around us!
Clare Phillips
January 31, 2017 at 4:28 pmWhat a great piece of theatre – don’t we all need cheering up in these dreary days. Sounds delightful and shall be watching you for more recommendations. Thanks from another culture seeking Londoner x
DiaryofaLondoness
January 31, 2017 at 5:04 pmGlad you enjoyed it Clare! Scarlett x
Lucy Siddiqi
January 31, 2017 at 12:36 pmLove the sound of this one – going to book tickets now. Thanks Londoness! It’s always a joy to see the productions in smaller theatres.
DiaryofaLondoness
January 31, 2017 at 12:48 pmHope you enjoy it Lucy. Love to hear what you think. Scarlett x
Lorenne Rio
January 30, 2017 at 5:35 pmSorry we are not in London we cannot go and see that piece. I hope it comes to Paris
DiaryofaLondoness
January 30, 2017 at 5:42 pmI wonder what the Parisians would make of it!
clarissa Morris
January 30, 2017 at 2:59 pmI was there also – it is FANTASTIC and hilariously funny. What else do you suggest for this month in theatre terms?
DiaryofaLondoness
January 30, 2017 at 5:46 pmTry “Travesties” which is a Menier Chocolate Factory transfer to the Apollo and “Sex with Strangers” at the Hampstead Theatre. Let me know what you think!
Kameron Brown
January 30, 2017 at 2:11 pmWow it looks like a great piece! Thanks for the share @ Diary of a Londoness!
DiaryofaLondoness
January 30, 2017 at 2:21 pmThanks Kameron!