Almost Maine review vignettes about the American way of love | Theatre
Theatre This article is more than 9 years oldReviewAlmost Maine review – vignettes about the American way of love
This article is more than 9 years oldPark theatre, LondonRomantic whimsy meets magic realism in a series of two-handed scenes set during one snowy New England night
Imagine Love Actually crossed with Our Town and you have a flavour of John Cariani’s play about couples falling in and out of love on one snowy Friday night in the mythical small town of Almost in Maine. It’s a place where the northern lights fizz with a magical intensity and life comes sprinkled with a coating of sugar, sorry, snow.
Say hello to adorable Glory who wanders around with her broken heart in a brown paper bag, and endearing Gayle who decides she wants to reclaim all the love she gave to Lendall who has failed to propose. For goofy Randy and Chad, falling in love turns into a bruising experience; meanwhile, Marci and Phil’s marriage stumbles to an end with a shoe falling from the sky like some mystic sign.
Whimsy meets magic realism in these vignettes of the American way of love in which desire sometimes looks as if it will be scuppered by thermal underwear. Many have clearly warmed to this exploration of love in a cold climate. Translated into 20 languages, Cariani’s artful series of quick-fire romantic duets has become one of the most regularly performed plays in US high schools: it’s as wholesome as Mom’s apple pie, and twice as sweet. Cariani warns that “cute will kill this play” and Simon Evans heeds the advice in a swift, no-nonsense production that boasts a fine ensemble who slip from role to role with appealing ease. There are some very good performances here, with Hamish Clark particularly effective in a trio of roles. Amy Jane Cook’s design is simple and effective, too.
Unfortunately, Cariani’s emotionally contrived script so neglects characterisation and is so busy straining to create a midwinter’s night dream that it is eventually sunk by its own cloying attempts to charm. It’s theatre’s equivalent of being licked all over by a small, cute, furry dog. Not unpleasant, just unnecessary.
Until 17 January. Box office: 020-7870 6876. Venue: Park theatre, London.
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