This is a beautiful collection of vignettes all with the theme of love and dating. It’s not hard to see why this show has had such a successful history: it is the 2nd longest running off-Broadway show with an incredible 5003 performances, it has been translated into 17 languages and been produced worldwide. Every story is beautifully told with each having it’s own merits. Writer Joe DiPietro clearly has a talent for writing a love story and leaving us wanting to know more about the characters presented before us. 

Performed by four actors; Sam Willison, Megan Carole, Sarah Pearson and Brad Walwyn, we see every kind of relationship presented to us over the course of this show from electric first meets, to long term struggles. Over the course of the show every actor plays several roles and all do so brilliantly. The show opens with all four preparing for a first date, some having second thoughts, some sick of the dating market and others being very enthusiastic about the opportunity before them. 

Megan Carole has incredible comic presence, especially in ‘The Lasagne Incident’. Sam Willison shows a versatility from self-centred golf guy to an old man meeting a potential new love at a wake. Bradley Walwyn’s performance of ‘Manliest Man’ is inspired and worth the ticket price on it’s own. Rounding off the foursome is the incredible Sarah Pearson whose ‘Working Girl’ is brilliantly portrayed, showing the struggles of a woman in this busy world who just doesn’t have time for the number of dates it takes to find someone. 

The design is simple but does not feel lacking.  There are four door frames at the corners of the stage and some empty frames adorning the back wall which feels like a nice nod to the potential memories we’re being let in on here. This simple design means we can focus on the action taking place before us. 

There is a lot of comedy in this show, moments we can all relate to in our dating history of saying the wrong thing, matching with someone who is just completely wrong for us, or losing the one person we thought we were meant to be with. We swell from highs to lows with full emotions on show. 

I highly encourage you to see this production if you can, I guarantee you will relate to at least one moment (though I expect it to be many more).

This show was reviewed on the 20th August 2024 at theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, Edinburgh where it runs until the 24th August 2024.  Tickets here: I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change | Musicals and Opera | Edinburgh Festival Fringe (edfringe.com)

Review written by Rosie Browne

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