MUSICAL REVIEW: First Date ★★★

First Date
Online Production
22nd - 24th October 2020

Having first ran in Seattle 2012, before travelling all over the world over the next four years, Lambert Jackson and Crazy Coqs, the stylish, booshie destination in the heart of London, presents First Date The Musical, an entire online production, featuring Simon Lipkin (Nativity, All In a Row) and Samantha Barks (The Last Five Years) as Aaron and Casey, both experiencing, as the title suggests, their first encounters with each other, which often leads throughout to moments of enduring awkwardness and misguided storytelling, some which present themselves with comedic timing from the multi-rolling brilliance of Oscar Conion-Morrey (Only Fools and Horses), Nicholas McLean (Wicked) and Danielle Steers (Danielle Steers). 

Whilst all of the above might sound appetising, and enough to whet the appetite, it must also be said that the production doesn’t come without its faults, as some directional source from Dean Johnson leaves very little to the imagination; when Barks first enters the frame within the Crazy Coqs setting, her back is all that we are presented with, as instead we are fixed upon Conion-Morrey’s often over expressive, excruciatingly, painful waiter service, which in the real world would certainly not be left with a tip. The sound quality throughout is also unbearable, with most of the enjoyment run thin when you have to reach for the remote more than once to toy with the volume, as some parts as utterly unbearable, and makes you wonder how little consideration must have been thought about when the dialogue comes through so muffled, which all doesn't even touch the sides when the colouring of various shots leaves a very distasteful feeling in the back of the throat, where wide shots especially of all five performers comes through grainy and uncomplimentary. 

It has to be said though that the two leads in Barks and Lipkin do slowly ease within the realms of likeability (as long as you can excuse the accents), and their vocals are cement in bringing character to life to such spectacular ways; a clearly touching moment late into the piece from Barks, that sees her delve into the past family and relationship matter within her life, will most certainly leave a lump within, to which you can always rely on Lipkin’s comedic side to bring you back round with the smattering of laughter, with his sheek exterior providing a very glamorous look that compliments well with Barks elegant and graceful red sleeved dress, which always shines just like her infectious smile.

Overall, whilst some technical elements and overbearing performances lose the spice and magic, First Date spills infectious laughter and endearing sentiment from the two leads, and will absolutely leave you grabbing the mobile and reserving the next available table in your closest, classiest venue that will have you able to wine and dine.