Review: I’ve Never Met Anyone Quite Like You Before, Old Red Lion Theatre

Review: I’ve Never Met Anyone Quite Like You Before, Old Red Lion Theatre

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

In the smallest of black box studios, with nothing other than a great soundtrack and a blanket, David Scotland delivers a powerful, emotional journey that reinforces the connection with our fellow humans in our most vulnerable moments.

Written by David Scotland, I’ve Never Met Anyone Quite Like You Before is simply a testament to the power of subtle and emotionally complex honest writing and accomplished acting.

Scotland and fellow actor Robert Strange are already in position, dancing languidly in a nightclub setting, as the audience take their seats. What follows is a series of monologues and interactions as Scotland attempts to navigate his relationship with his boyfriend as well as justifying his life as an artist to various (unseen) influential people, starting with Jesus and ending up with his father.

He is clearly looking for validation of his life choices, whilst occasionally becoming frustrated with his fraught attempts to gain a foothold in the industry. The lack of traditional arc in plot development serves to envelop the audience in its emotional journey and Scotland is endearingly vulnerable throughout, whilst never pitiable. Autobiographical, the introspective analysis delivered demonstrates that what connects us, ironically, as thinking humans, is the worry that we are different. This is a play about who we are and what we are to other people.

A carefully curated playlist adds a third voice to the piece, appropriately starting with club vibes provided by rap artist Azealia Banks, before progressing through to the emotional lines of Gabrielle Aplin who reminds us “Only you can see me when the lights go out”… All of the songs chosen share a rhythmic heart-like beat and emotive lyrics, often reinforced by the simplest of melodies. Another form of human connection, these choices are to be applauded as their ebb and flow mimics the audience’s emotional energy.

Lighting is deceptively minimal, but moves seamlessly from spotlight to club setting as needed and never overwhelms, despite the limited room. The studio is the smallest of black box spaces and the only prop used is that of a blanket to signify the bed the pair share. The intimacy created is just the right side of immersive before becoming overwhelming. As the plot comes full circle at the end, with the opening line repeated as its last, the audience are invited to join the dancing on the floor and the sense of belonging to a community is cemented.

Thoroughly engaging throughout, this is a play that is achingly moving, generates human connection, is beautifully paced and never overwhelms owing to a generous dose of wry humour. A powerful and emotional journey for all, the simplicity of setting and intimate nature reminds us that we are never alone, and often it is in these moments of pain and vulnerability that we have most in common with our fellow humans.

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Written by: David Scotland
Directed by Amy Allen

I’ve Never Met Anyone Quite Like You Before plays at Old Red Lion Theatre until 25 May. Further information and bookings can be found here.