OBSERVER: Love, Love, Love
Families are rarely without drama, but in English playwright Mike Bartlett’s Love, Love, Love, the drama runs so deep it borders on tragic.
The play explores, among other things, whether adult children can reasonably blame their parents for their lack of direction or unfulfilled potential.
The story follows two idealistic Oxford students who meet in 1967, charting the disintegration of their youthful ideals and relationships. Across two subsequent acts, set in 1990 and 2011, those once-hopeful visions unravel into a fractured, self-serving version of adulthood that leaves a bitter legacy for their children.
Genya Mik is outstanding as Sandra. While she is never likeable—and nor are any of the characters really—Mik brings compelling energy and precision to the role.
In 1967, Sandra’s wide-eyed idealism is almost charming. By 1990, she’s become a whirlwind of wine-infused selfishness and dysfunction, by 2011, her indifference to the consequences of her choices is genuinely unsettling.
Blake Stringer is steady as Kenneth, who remains somewhat subdued next to Sandra’s volatility. He successfully anchors Kenneth through each chapter—from charismatic youth to disengaged middle age.
Julie Ahearne is superb as the teenage Rose, capturing adolescent
disdain through tone, posture, and perfectly timed eyerolls. As the blame-shifting adult in 2011, she delivers a compelling and unsettling portrayal of entitlement.
Jerome Pollard’s performance as Jamie brings nuance to a scarred character.
Director George Werther has orchestrated a cohesive and engaging production, with set design (Mary Werther) and lighting (Tamsin Mackie), working together to create a strong sense of time and place.
Love, Love, Love is sharp and uncomfortable—challenging audiences to consider the long shadow cast by a generation once intent on changing the world, but who may have only rearranged it to suit themselves.
Presented by Heidelberg Theatre Company.
Performance dates: until July 19
Venue: Heidelberg Theatre , 36 Turnham Avenue, Rosanna
Cost: $23 – $28
Bookings: https://auhtc.sales.
ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/142820
Review by Beth Klein

