Why Am I So Single? at Garrick Theatre

Deliriously enjoyable, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s new musical hits the West End just in time to beat those end-of-summer blues. Packed with blunt and brazen lyrics, vocal extensions and lively numbers, the production is a modern-day tale that centres not on romantic love but on friendship – the kind that runs deep beneath the surface, where two people understand each other better than they understand themselves, even to the point of being brutally honest.

After another unsuccessful date, Nancy (Leesa Tulley) finds refuge once again at her best friend’s flat, Oliver (Jo Foster), who can’t even manage to make it to a date – his are always cancelled last minute. As they rewatch Friends and sip prosecco on the sofa, they decide to examine their past relationships and some case studies to figure out why they’re still so single.

Through a wild voyage across genres and the universe of musical theatre (and beyond), the protagonists manage to transform sad and matter-of-fact situations into celebrations. WhatsApp audio notes, hipster brunches, gap years adventures and modern dating (exclusively online, of course) are all peppered with jokes and reflections, as their living room transforms into a memory lane and fantasy stage. It feels like a natural and exciting evolution of teen comedies: no longer about hormones and the fear of adulthood, but about fitting into a society that is broken, where not everyone follows the same path or conforms to the same identity labels. Hence, the hunt for the perfect partner becomes a vehicle to explore the other meaningful connections we can create on our life journey – all while discussing personal flaws and the importance of truly listening.

The duo isn’t alone, and to make the chorus an integral part of the narrative, Marlow and Moss cleverly anthropomorphise Oliver’s furniture, resulting in slick, hilarious scenes.

At times, the plot feels weak, not so much in its storyline but in its occasional superficial moments. However, these are fleeting in a whirlwind of standout numbers. Noah Thomas leads the tap dance of C U Never, Foster shines in the energetic 8 Dates and Tulley brings depth with the emotional Just in Case. Moreover, moments like Interlude in B Minor are phenomenally funny, adding to the jamboree of tunes, colours and frolics.

Cristiana Ferrauti
Photos: Danny Kaan

Why Am I So Single? is at Garrick Theatre from 27^th August 2024 until 13^th February 2025. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.