Review: 10 First Dates (Etcetera Theatre)

10 First Dates is a Gooper Dust production, currently making its debut at Etcetera Theatre as part of Women Writers Festival.

Playwright Christine Rose was inspired to write this piece after trading horror stories about dating with her best friend. That was enough information to make me want to see this show, which was being presented as a “polished work in progress”.

Maggie appeared on stage first, preparing to go on a date whilst speaking aloud both to her reflection in the mirror as well as directly to the audience.  Lamenting the end of her 25 year marriage to Nigel, Maggie feels ready to start facing the idea of dating again but in a whole new way – dating apps didn’t exist when she met Nigel.  Within moments, this interaction had the whole audience rooting for Maggie. Indeed, throughout the hour-long show there were numerous times when the audience responded, at times possibly even when it was not expected. This gave the sense of a shared experience in such a positive way. It must also be mentioned that Laura Shipler Chico, who plays Maggie, was on stage for the entire show going from one scene to the next flawlessly.

Maggie has her first disastrous date and then decides to get back on the dating wagon by experiencing 10 first dates in total, limiting their length and seeing how they go.  With this decision being made, the set comes into it’s own with the appearance of a washing line-style prop which was a fun visual throughout the show.

Mark Parsons had the challenging task of playing all 10 dating partners. This was carried out skilfully, and his characterisation of each of them were so different. The costume changes were also lightning fast, and to top it all each of the dates had a different accent.  The interaction of each person with Maggie obviously varied, as some of the men were more likeable than others, but the performance of them all was accomplished and it was very clear that the two actors work well together.

Laura Shipler Chico and Mark Parsons (curtain call photo)

The writing is insightful and also very funny; the audience reaction proved that the humour works for a mixture of ages. Direction from Jamie Saul ensured that the small theatre space was used effectively and that the interactions between Maggie and the men as well as between Maggie and her allies in the audience interleaved perfectly.

If there is one thing I would like to see, it would be a stronger ending, as after all the dates have finished there is a tying up of sorts but I would have loved for the end to be as dynamic (and maybe even as funny) as some of the other moments in the show. Maybe involving a mention of Nigel in some way.

With that said, this is a funny, entertaining WIP and I am pleased to have seen the play in it’s debut form. I am very excited to see how it develops from here.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

10 First Dates runs at Etcetera Theatre until 24 March

If you would like to see more of my curtain call photographs from this and other shows, please visit my Instagram.

I was gifted a ticket for this show in exchange for an honest review.