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Review: Offroading, Old Red Lion Theatre - light comedy drama about a mismatched couple

Offroading Old Red Lion Theatre Threadbare Theatre
Threadbare Theatre's Offroading, Old Red Lion Theatre

Offroading at the Old Red Lion is an opposites-attract comedy-drama in which the couple's relationship and their imagined futures are tested.

Writer Lucy Linger tells the story through the eyes of Steve (Owen Frost), who recounts his memories of meeting and falling in love with Jane (Elise Verney).

Steve is steady, middle-of-the-road, plodding contentedly through life. He is still in his graduate job after 10 years and still living with his parents. Jane blows like a whirlwind into his life; she is free-spirited, impulsive, bohemian and doesn't like to lay down roots.

Their awkward first meeting is in a pub. Steve is nervously waiting for his blind date to show up and mistakes Jane for the person he is meeting.

It's a slow-burn relationship, frustratingly so for Steve who has been enamoured with Jane pretty much from the start.

But despite their differences and a few bumps, it seems to work. That is until they face a bigger challenge, which throws their differences into stark relief. It turns their differences from quirks to irks and throws into question the paths they see themselves on.

Owen Frost's Steve regularly talks directly to the audience, giving his impressions of the relationship and commentary that comes with the benefit of hindsight.

The two actors spark in their scenes together, convincing as a mismatched couple. The first half bobs along, buoyed by plenty of light humour and wit.

Cryptic warnings of what is to come in their story drive the narrative.

In the second half, the tone shifts slightly with the more serious story development, but despite this, it never moves much beyond light drama.

While the story is told from Steve's perspective, it feels light touch, not really getting under the skin of how he is feeling.

Offroading is a light comedy and light drama that bubbles along nicely thanks to Lucy Linger's script and the performances. Steve and Jane are interesting characters to spend time with, and you find out enough for it to keep up the momentum.

I'm giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half.

Offroading, Old Red Lion Theatre

Writer/Director: Lucy Linger

Cast: Elise Verney and Owen Frost

Running time 95 minutes with an interval

Offroading is at the Old Red Lion Theatre until 14 September; see the website for more details and to buy tickets.

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