In the age of online dating, these actors are bringing old-fashioned romance to the stage
CBC
In a dating era defined by apps and digital meetups, a theatre company in London is exploring a throwback approach to love and romance — all while giving budding theatre professionals opportunities to sharpen their skills on stage.
Theatre Aezir just began a run of shows in London performing Dating Games, a collection of five short plays that portray the highs and lows of meeting someone in person and finding romance face-to-face.
“It’s such an online dating scene right now,” said Aidan Robertson, one of the directors. “It’s super important that we can see love in these natural unfolding ways.”
One of the play features two people navigating an awkward conversation after meeting serendipitously at a dog park.
Elizabeth Durand, Theatre Aezir’s artistic director, said she wasn’t sure about the play’s theme given how the landscape of modern dating has changed in the 20 years since they were written by American writer and playwright Garth Wingfield in 1995.
However, after reviewing the scripts, younger members of the cast said the themes of love remain the same.
“They all agreed that the stories are the same,” she said. “No matter how or where you meet. The stories are still very relevant.”
In addition to directing, Robertson plays 23 different love interests in the play, Mary Just Broke Up With This Guy. It’s a difficult feat, one that underscores both his talent and dedication to the craft.
In addition to providing a platform for them to perform, debuting directors like Robertson were paired with a mentor who could offer advice and guidance. Durand said that giving young talent an opportunity to develop is one of the goals of the theatre company.
“We just need to nurture talent and keep it going,” she said. “Our motto is theatre that makes you think, and so we need to keep new young people coming into the artform.”
Dating Games is on stage until Nov. 16 at First Baptist Church in downtown London. Tickets are available on Theatre Aezier's website.
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