REVIEW: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – Greenside at Nicolson Square, Edinburgh
In an Edinburgh Festival Fringe of increasing size and, in some cases, questionable quality, a small but perfectly formed jewel of a production shines bright above its contemporaries, Accidentally on Purpose Productions staging of Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts’ I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.
Presented as a series of vignettes on the themes of love and relationships, this witty, if ubiquitous presence at The Fringe, stands the test of time (save a few dated references) despite nearing its twentieth birthday.
With a cast of six, Accidentally on Purpose has managed to pack a bucketload load of interest and a shed-load of quality, into a work of only fifty minutes. The direction from Adam Broad ensures maximum visual interest from a minimal staging and the transitions are smooth, slick and quick despite many scene and copious costume changes.
There is a maturity and sure-footedness from the entire ensemble despite their youth, and a perfect match of acting skill and powerhouse vocals, the harmonies throughout are glorious too. It seems churlish to single out any performer, but Bethany Marvin has finely tuned comedy and vocal skills and seems set to be one to watch out for in the future. That said there are quality performances from all throughout.
The material offers nothing particularly original, it largely relies on stereotypes to drive home the point, but it’s good-natured and relatable and delivers the laughs, albeit superficially. The tunes also reside firmly in the amiable category, there’s nothing new, nothing knockout, but it all sounds perfectly pleasant and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better quality production on The Fringe.
This is a theatre group to watch and with such promise, it will be interesting to see what’s next.