In recent years, the opening nights of West End shows have seen fewer celebrities in attendance and more influencers, those who have gained a few minutes of fame on reality TV shows such as Love Island. Someone, somewhere has decided that a large number of social media followers will automatically translate to ticket sales, but what do these people actually do to earn a crust? That’s the question addressed in William Johnston and Katie Sayer’s satire Love’s a Beach , directed by Phoebe Gibby.
There’s no real link to the similarly sounding TV show in this two-hander, but we do meet Cyrus and Ben, a couple who found love on televised constructed reality and now have to work out how to actually make a living from their newfound fame. The answer lies in sponsored content, which sees the pair hawking everything from adult nappies to dog treats.
Johnston and Sayer’s witty script explores how both traditional media and social media react to and pressurise these pseudo-celebs. They are described as entrepreneurs, often having to trade their dignity for a pay cheque, and that’s an interesting concept, especially as such influencers are often pilloried by wider society.
Cyrus and Ben’s relationship is put to the test when they are offered a dream deal to promote a couple’s resort in Dubai. Only one member of this same-sex couple realises the potential issue. And so, Love’s a Beach takes an interesting meander through the pitfalls of trying to balance a relationship with a follower count.
Cyrus and Ben are polar opposites of each other, so much so you might wonder how they ever got together – was it all part of the hunt for fame? Cyrus (James Akka) encompasses everything that anyone could ever find irritating about influencers, while Iain Ferrier’s Ben is more down-to-earth, preferring to promote wildlife causes than attend wild teenage parties.
Both Akka and Ferrier have crafted their characters beautifully, and as an audience, we naturally recognise their different and competing ambitions. But we find ourselves with a script that doesn’t quite move quickly enough. The action takes place over the course of a month, but it feels like years might have passed as the chasm between the pair widens. There are a few too many pregnant pauses, and it often takes too long to transition from one scene to the next.
Despite this, Love’s a Beach is a very funny satire, and there are plenty of one-liners that have the audience belly laughing. The concept is an interesting one too, and shines some light on the mysterious world of the influencer. Whether a lot of followers brings happiness (or sells nappies and dog treats) is left up to you to decide.
