My Romantic History, Bush Theatre

Terrific Edinburgh comedy hit about relationships wows London

by Aleks SierzMonday, 25 October 2010

Office romance: Iain Robertson in 'My Romantic History'Robert Day

Let's face it, the rom-com has an image problem. Too often, this genre is tainted by either sugar-sweet sentimentality or crashing cliché, or both. Often, there’s something more than a little oppressive about the whole idea of romance, as if love’s natural idealism is too weak to withstand a cold dose of reality. But there are exceptions. And this show is one of them. It’s great to be able to welcome D C Jackson’s new play, which he calls a “non-rom-com”, and which arrives in London having first enjoyed a successful outing at the Edinburgh Festival in August.

Sparkling with witty dialogue and constant narrative musings, it dashes along, flinging out ideas and one-liners like an alcohol-fuelled singleton out on the lash

Buy

Explore topics

Share this article

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more Theatre

Guards at the Taj, Orange Tree Theatre review - miniature marvel with rich resonances Rajiv Joseph’s play pitting beauty against duty gets an impressive staging

The Buddha of Suburbia, Barbican Theatre review - farcical fun, but what about the issues? Hanif Kureishi classic gets a compulsively comic makeover from Emma Rice

How To Survive Your Mother, King's Head Theatre review - mummy issues drive autobiographical dramedy Lots of heartache, but a strange void where the heart of the play should be

Dr Strangelove, Noël Coward Theatre review - an evening of different parts Kubrick’s humour doesn't always detonate as it should in Armando Iannucci's version

Reykjavik, Hampstead Theatre review - drama frozen by waves of detail Richard Bean’s new play revisits the Hull fishing industry of the 1970s

The Forsyte Saga Parts 1 and 2, Park Theatre review - if Chekhov did soap operas Joseph Millson leads a super cast in a classy production from Troupe Theatre Company

The Wild Duck, The Norwegian Ibsen Company, Coronet Theatre review - slow burn, devastating climax Ibsen's pitiless take on the 'life lie' is another triumph for Norwegians in Notting Hill

Autumn, Park Theatre review - on stage as in politics, Brexit drama promises much, but loses its way Promising production, beautifully acted, slides into side plots and confusion

The Fear of 13, Donmar Warehouse review - powerful analysis of a gross injustice A magnificent Adrien Brody leads a moving production by Justin Martin

The Duchess [of Malfi], Trafalgar Theatre review - actors imprisoned by confused time travelling Zinnie Harris's modern take robs the play of its tragic potential

What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, Marylebone Theatre review - explosive play for today Nathan Englander probes a divide in modern Jewish identity; Patrick Marber directs

Land of the Free, Southwark Playhouse review - John Wilkes Booth portrayed in play that resonates across 160 years A president shot, as a divided country seeks political solutions

Follow @theartsdesk