Love, Question Mark review, Tabard

The great thing about our small theatres is they take risks. So it is with Love, Question Mark a new play by Robert  Gillespie at The Tabard, a lovely pub space in Chiswick. Described as a tragi-comedy, it certainly raised some great laughs, but they were at the expense of the production rather than because of it. 

Todger-loving lodger

Michael is an estate agent who's just lost his wife. He's the only estate agent in his late fifties who dresses like a 75-year-old accountant. In beige cardigan and trousers, he's mourning 30+ years of happiness but his todger, in typical male fashion (forgive the stereotype, but it's the lifeblood of this play) is acting independently of his emotions. Within seconds he's getting erections on the number 52 bus, has procured an Argentinian whore, shipped her to his flat where she marches round like an extra from Tango Argentino in a series of black pointy ankle boots, and is broadcasting their sessions on the internet.

Gillespie fits a lot into 100 minutes including a story of child abuse and brothel life and a smattering of texts questioning the meaning of love - Casanova could, apparently, fall in love within five hours as he needed to love a woman to sleep with her. After that he was very generous and always found husbands for his discards. Would that he were around today! And that's the problem with Love, Question Mark. There are more interesting things to think about while watching this play than the play itself which lacks focus and grows increasingly silly.

In conclusion: If you live near The Tabard, it may provide some giggles. A number of punters left at the interval, but a couple were praising it very loudly at the end. Even those of us who weren't, had plenty to laugh about on the way home.

References
Robert Cumber review for Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle