REVIEW: Not in the Mood for Quiche Anymore at Barons Court Theatre 22 – 26 October 2024

‘A well-performed and novel tale’ ★★★

Becks (Laura Matthews) is a woman with an average, if unsatisfying life. In her late 30’s she has friends, a good job as a teacher and has a little bit of fun now and again, but what she’s really missing is love - thanks to the magic of dating apps this will all change soon, but not necessarily for the better...

This slice of life, one-woman show takes more than a few interesting turns as Becks’ new love life turns out to have more than a few complications, including brushes with the law, and as a consequence the show often feels as if it’s trending toward some kind of dramatic moment when everything will tip over the edge. There’s a kind of dread lingering over affairs as Matthews gives an engaging performance, playing Becks with admirable cheer and earnestness amidst the many setbacks the plot throws her way.

The staging throughout the show is effective to match Matthews measured energy, populated with just five chairs that are distinct enough, together with vibrant light and sound, to bring each of the play’s many locations to life. Director Michael Gyngell has done well to orchestrate all this as we transition from places as varied as date night at a restaurant, to busy family gatherings and even a prison visiting center.

Despite these varied locales however, the dread mentioned above never quite comes to much. Although the story feels as if it might take off into exciting territory, eventually most of its tension points, end up being damp squibs, whimpering out without wider consequence for any character. Dangerous criminals fade in and out of the narrative, moral quandaries about Becks’ relationships with her students fizzle away, and most of the driving elements of the plot simply evaporate and at the end of it all Becks simply moves on, older but perhaps not wiser, leaving the audience much the same.

All in all then, this is a well-performed and novel tale that lacks the staying power it might have had if did more with its more interesting elements.

Not in the Mood for Quiche Anymore runs at Baron’s Court Theatre 22 – 26 Oct

Written by Victoria Buse

Directed by Michael Gyngell

Produced by Black Kohi Productions

Michael G𝚢𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚕𝚕 @gynge

Reviewed by Harry Conway