Review: Guess How Much I Love You?, Royal Court Theatre

How far can love stretch? Can it truly conquer all? How do you make a decision that seems impossible? These are some of the questions that Luke Norris’ play interrogates. Guess How Much I Love You? is a harrowing look at love, loss and grief.

The play begins with a couple at their twenty week pregnancy scan. The sonographer has left the room, gone for far too long, leaving space for distraction and deliberation as Her’s (Rosie Sheehy) anxiety rises. Relationship banter consumes much of the first act, a humorous back and forth, poking fun in a way that’s only possible with those closest to you. Littered inbetween is consideration of issues like porn, sex work, misogyny and baby names. Foreshadowing of something more unnerving builds. 

Act two launches us into the crux of the action. The couple, faced with an excruciatingly tough decision, endure rising tension, while the play goes on to examine the boundaries of love and how far it can stretch. Norris’s writing is multifaceted: humorous, colloquial and utterly tragic. His world-building is phenomenal, fully immersing his audience into the domestic confines of the relationship. Quick-witted, dark humour is placed against arguments, rising tension and tragedy. And when this tragedy strikes, Norris hits us where it hurts. The audience are flung into an emotional whirlwind of catharsis, sniffles heard throughout the theatre. And rightly so; the production is heartbreaking and wrought with emotion. 

Grace Smart’s set design aids in this claustrophobic, mounting tension. Confined spaces seem to grow ever smaller through a variety of set changes. Remarkably quick, they plunge the audience into darkness, allowing a gathering of thoughts whilst leaving ambiguity of what is said between the couple after each act. 

Sheehy is a powerhouse, offering an outstanding performance as Her. The character’s guilt, shame and sorrow unravel in a mental collapse. Continually bringing us back to women’s bodily autonomy in a way that is highly distressing at points, Her contends with an exertion of her own choice yet is wracked with guilt at this and with dealing with its consequences. Her wailings and distress in act three are harrowing: even thinking of it now sends shivers down my spine. Emotionally raw and honest, Sheehy throws herself into the role with ferocious vigour.

By contrast, Him (Robert Aramayo) is meeker, attempting to be the calming voice of reason and support to his wife. Aramayo too gives a fabulous performance, contending and calming until he himself breaks. Both are flawed characters; a reminder of their humanness in a way that feels authentic and honest. Naming his characters Him and Her, Norris reminds us that this isn’t a singular issue but a common one, a notion signalled often by Him. They aren’t unique but linger in a world of tragedy.

The play finds its peak around act three of five. The aftermath of their decision displays how life doesn’t simply stop after tragedy. Norris lingers on the volatile aftermath, but perhaps for too long, taking up about a third of its run time. 

Guess How Much I Love You? is witty and funny yet emotionally disturbing and heartbreaking – an unusual combination that is executed exceptionally. Norris’ writing is outstanding with Sheehy and Aramayo bringing his writing to life with exemplary performances. I spotted two women embracing in a hug as the lights came up, something much needed after an hour and thirty five minutes of pure emotional turmoil. A definite must see, this is tragedy done right. 

Written by Luke Norris
Directed by Jeremy Herrin
Design by Grace Smart
Lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun
Composition and sound design by Nick Powell
Casting direction by Jessica Ronane
Dramaturgy by Gillian Greer
Intimacy coordination by Clare Foster

Guess How Much I Love You? plays at the Royal Court Theatre until Saturday 21 February.