REVIEW: LOVE QUIRKS @ THE OTHER PALACE

🎭 Love Quirks

📍 The Other Palace Studio, 12 Palace Street, London, SW1E 5JA

🗓 Thursday 25th September 2025

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LOVELY AND QUIRKY!

It's no secret that I love a new musical and this week I was invited along to The Other Palace for the press night of LOVE QUIRKS which is making it's London premiere at the venue.

This musical holds up a mirror to the awkward, honest, and often chaotic reality of modern dating, and is utterly charming. This show proves that you don't need a massive, technically extravagant production to deliver a story with heart and soul. Instead, this compact, feel-good musical wins with its genuine warmth and some truly stellar performances.

As the title suggests, this show is undeniably quirky. Following the ups and downs of an unconventional love story, the writing is both fun and relatable, focusing on the little eccentricities we all bring to our relationships. The humour is gentle but lands well, and the book successfully avoids a lot of the clichés you might expect from a show about dating.

The story is charming but not groundbreaking with the book by Mark Childers feeling a little underdeveloped at times, and some scenes feeling longer than they needed to be.

The characters are well rounded and I'm sure there is at least one character that every member of the audience could relate to. For me that character was Ryan. Aspects of his character such as falling for the straight boy or moving fast at the beginning of a relationship resonated with me, reminding me of my younger, single self!

The story is brought to life by an incredibly talented cast who are all exceptional vocalists which is pure heaven to listen to. Seth Bisen-Hersh's score is genuinely catchy, with songs that are both witty and poignant. I found myself humming the tunes as I was leaving the theatre which is always a good sign, with the titular track perhaps standing out as my favourite.

The vocals on display were sensational with Clodagh Greene and Ayesha Patel soaring into space with their powerful performances.

The set design by Bob Sterrett is simple, but the performances from the cast fill the room with so much energy that you don't even notice. Lewis Brown Bear, Clodagh Greene, Tom Newland and Ayesha Patel have an undeniable chemistry and their interactions are endearing and feel genuine. Their performances as four friends navigating the strange world of modern love are a joy to watch. I must give special mention to Lewis Bear Brown for his brilliantly comic timing as the lovable but slightly manic Ryan, providing many of the show's biggest laughs.

Yes this production may have some minor flaws but the relatability of the characters and their messy situations make for an engaging and thought-provoking show. The London-centric adaptations work extremely well and the intimacy of The Other Palace Studio is a perfect fit for this kind of character-driven comedy.

This show feels like a celebration of theatre and proves that a good story and brilliant performances can make even the smallest stage feel huge.

Overall LOVE QUIRKS is a musical that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging show that leaves you smiling and I highly recommend booking tickets.

The show is playing until Sunday 12th October. Click here to head to The Other Palace website where you can check availability and book 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 person.

My ticket for this performance of Love Quirks was gifted by Chloe Nelkin Consulting 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.

CAST LIST:

Lewis Bear Brown as Ryan; Clodagh Greene as Stephanie; Tom Newland as Chris; Ayesha Patel as Lili

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours, including interval

AGE GUIDELINE:

13 +

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