š Love Letters Straight From Your Heart
š The Drum, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2TR
š Wednesday 16th October 2024
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ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
As an avid theatre fan attending literally hundreds of different performances every year, I can quite honestly say I've never seen anything quite like LOVE LETTERS STRAIGHT FROM YOUR HEART which is playing until Saturday in The Drum at Theatre Royal Plymouth.
On entering the auditorium it is immediately evident that this is going to be a wholly unique experience. Traditional theatre seating is gone. Replaced instead by two long tables with tablecloths and flowers. They run parallel to one another and the audience sits around the outer edge. At each end of the space there is a small table set up with a microphone and some technical equipment.
We are greeted by the two performers, although we do not know at this point that's who they are, who are offering glasses of bubbly or water to the patrons and we take our seats - anywhere we like as the seating is unreserved.
LOVE LETTERS STRAIGHT FROM YOUR HEART is part play, part social event and the evening flip flops between scripted sections and dedications from audience members. Prior to the performance audience members were asked to send dedications of love alongside a song choice. These 'love letters' were then read out by the performers whilst the chosen track was played.
This is a true participation event and real emotions are shared by the intimate audience, making for an unbelievably powerful experience. Audience members create a kinship with one another, unlike anything I've ever been a part of before.
It's actually a difficult piece for me to review because of the fact it's more of a social experience and shared event rather than a piece of theatre. There is something utterly charming about it and I couldn't help but fall in love with it.
One of the fundamentally unique things about this show is that due to the high level of audience input, each night is a completely different performance.
Everyone in the intimate space laughed and cried together, and there was something about seeing the actual people who were either mentioned in the dedications or were affected by them which really tugged at the heartstrings.
If you are thinking about booking a ticket, then I cannot recommend enough that you don't think about it any longer and secure yourself a spot at the table.
The two performers completely held the room and their sincerity filled the room, giving an emotional hug to each participent.
LOVE LETTERS STRAIGHT FROM YOUR HEART continues performances in The Drum at Theatre Royal Plymouth until Saturday 19th October. Click here to secure your tickets.
Neill Kovacic-Clarke
All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one reviewer.
My ticket for this performance of Love Letters Straight From Your Heart was gifted by the Theatre Royal Plymouth who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.
RUNNING TIME (approx):
1 hour 25 minutes, with no interval
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