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| Izzy (Kate Batter) and Jonesy (James Robinson) think back to happier times, photo courtesy of Charlie Round-Turner |
Pick two:
work, relationships, or self-care. Most of you will have seen variations of
this work-life balance triangle graphic online. The career one is split between
a job that pays well, is in a good location, or advances your career. The
college one confronts you with whether or not you want good grades, enough
sleep, or a social life. Again, you can only pick two. They might seem somewhat
humorous or like melodramatic ultimatums, but for most of us, they’re decisions
we face (and struggle to juggle) on a daily basis.
That’s
why the new musical from Michael Yale, This
Little Life of Mine, at Park90 has tapped into something entirely human and
relatable. Main characters Izzy (Kate Batter) and Jonesy (James Robinson) want
it all – their own flat, their first child, and time not only for each other,
but also for their friends.
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| Photo courtesy of Charlie Round-Turner |
They
settle into a small flat, but that’s London for you. Jonesy comes home from
work too tired for sex and lusting for a beer, but Izzy is raunchily positioned
on the couch ready to pounce, because she’s “ovulating”. It’s a word I thought
I would never hear in a song, but “Tick Tick Tocking” somehow pulls it off. That’s
the genius of Charlie Round-Turner’s music. They’re propositioned by a married
couple they’re friends with who turn out to be swingers. I am reminded of the
“Expectations vs. Reality” scene in the film (500) Days of Summer, where
the lyrics of Regina Spektor’s song “Hero” ring out: “No one’s got it all.” Pick two.
It’s true;
the course of true love never did run smooth. Although this quote first
appeared in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer
Night’s Dream hundreds of years ago, human nature at its heart is, in
essence, predictable. There are ups and downs and when the audience laughs or
falls silent during This Little Life of Mine, it’s because that
theme, moment, or even a look, resonates with this little life of yours and
mine.
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| Bartender and barista Raphael (Greg Barnett) keeps the alcohol flowing when Izzy and Jonesy's relationship is on the rocks, photo courtesy of Charlie Round-Turner |
One such
example is the exchange between Raphael (Greg Barnett), a barista, and Tina
(Caroline Deverill), Izzy’s friend. It is in fact Barnett and Deverill who
steal the whole show and garner the most chuckles. In a singsong Portuguese
accent, Raphael chirpily introduces himself and runs through the expected and
dreaded spiel that comes with ordering coffee, much to Tina’s impatience. “When
you say you want small, do you mean tall?”
What follows is the “Song of the Barista”, which Barnett delivers in a mock
somber tone that only adds to its hilarity. When he sprays his cleaning product
on the counter with utter determination and not even a quiver of a smile, it’s
enough to send me into fits of giggles.
That’s
not to say that Batter and Robinson aren’t strong leads, but when pitted
against Barnett and Deverill, who revolve five and four roles respectively,
it’s difficult to compete. They are the comedic value, because the storyline
involving Izzy and Jonesy is emotional. We watch their relationship slowly
deteriorate after a traumatic experience only breeds distance and disconnect rather than the child they long for. The
theatre accommodates 90 people and I was sitting in the front row, perched
practically in their living room. This made me feel all the more invested in
their relationship and all the more eager for it to work.
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| Jonesy seeks comfort in friend Tina (Caroline Deverill), photo courtesy of Charlie Round-Turner |
However,
life is not full of happy endings. Izzy sings, “When I dreamt of happy ever
after, I didn’t really picture it with you” to Jonesy in “Hey Prince Charming” at
the beginning of the musical. In the finale number, “My Life Story”, she sings,
“In the film of my life, everything will be cinematic wonder and happy ever
after, but that’s just movie make-believe.” Both songs highlight the pursuit of
perfection, but perfection doesn’t exist. The sooner we come to realize that,
the happier we will ultimately be. For a generation that expects to have it
all, sometimes all we really need to aim to achieve is contentment with what we
already have. This Little Life of Mine perfectly
reminds us of just that.
This Little Life of Mine is running at Park90 in Finsbury
Park until 29 October. Book tickets here.
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| Photo courtesy of Charlie Round-Turner |
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