REVIEW: ONE YEAR ITCH by Andrew Phipps at Barons Court Theatre, 9-13 January 2024

‘It felt like I was watching a cheesy British romcom’

In its slapstick attempt, ‘One Year Itch’ introduces us to Tania, (Anca Vaida), a newly single lesbian who is back on the dating scene after breaking up with her cheating ex-girlfriend, Tilly. Determined to break her sexless spell, Tania finds herself swimming through the muddy waters of dating apps and blind dates. Tania’s best friend, Iona (Jayne Matthews), supports her every step of the way and brings lightness to Tania’s constant disappointment.

After attending 'desperate dating', a speed-dating event of women who represent Tania’s version of dating hell, she has an epiphany - Tania vows to herself and Iona that she will focus on her career in event management and go celibate for one year in the hope of finding herself.

The cast of nine actors provides the show with variety for the dating scenarios, including entertaining performances from eccentric Mrs Beryl Montgomery (Jean Woolard) and frantic Freya Larsen (Susan Hoffman). With the many scene transitions, it was quite impressive to witness the playful and flamboyant choreographed dance routines, giving character and ease to the minimal set.

At times, it felt like I was watching a cheesy British romcom, where a familiar story arc takes us through clichéd scenes and character references, like the trite ‘Best Friend’, Iona, who devotes her whole life to Tania, not leaving much narrative of her own.

A brief introduction of charismatic Victoria De Luca (Ozzy Algar), a famous actress and Tania’s crush, suddenly appears near the end where Tania and Victoria bump into each other in a coffee shop - like Julie Roberts walking into Hugh Grant’s travel bookshop in Notting Hill, giving the story a more whimsical twist.

Andrew Phipps, the writer & director, touches lightly on single culture and the pressures of lesbian dating, but the storyline proved to be predictable. The dialogue felt unnatural with a few jokes that didn’t quite land. Overall, it was a relatable story, and the cast created a fun energy to the performance, but what it lacked was comedic timing and a realistic portrayal of single life.

One Year Itch directed & written by Andrew Phipps

Barons Course Theatre, 9-13 January 2024

Cast and Creatives:

Anca Vaida - Tania Hagi

Iona McTaggart - Jayne Matthews

Tizzy Kanouche - Betty Laine

Jhané Gibson - Louisa Peters

Buddleia Maslen - Tilly Montgomery

Jean Woollard - Mrs Beryl Montgomery

Susan Hoffman - Freya Larsen

Ozzy Algar - Vitoria De Luca

Kelly Craige - Gillian Clark

Alice Catanzaro - Stage Manager

Reviewed by Olivia Pryle