Co-creators of the global hit musical SIX, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, bring the people of the West End a new “big fancy musical” in the form of Why Am I So Single?.
The creative journey started all the way back in 2019 but was put on the back burner due to the success of SIX, as well as COVID. At last, this bright, fun, and queer musical arrives at Garrick Theatre, offering a comforting alternative to the notion that only heteronormative relationships are considered ‘significant’.
Why Am I So Single? , which is directed by Lucy Moss, follows two twenty-something best friends as they delve into the tragedy that is their love lives while also trying to write their latest musical.
The production is a love letter to musical theatre, full to the brim with different styles from our favourite shows. You’ve got hip hop back to back with a tap number, disco, a Marilyn Monroe-style performance, rocky bops, as well as your classically emotive MT.
You could hear the SIX style and influence slip into some of the numbers. I liked this; it felt familiar and confirmed the writers’ strong style. It’s reminiscent of hearing Hamilton when listening to In the Heights.
The ensemble were striking, bringing heaps of animated characterisation to the stage. Their roles as furniture in Oliver’s flat cemented their position in the show and stopped it feeling like ‘oh big number, the ensemble come on stage now’. This device was also an interesting way to combine set and costume as the cast took on anthropomorphic personas. For example, we had a cheeky fridge full of Prosecco, a sexy plant, and a loyal bin.
In Act 1, I found the conversational scenes a bit samey in terms of tone. While the musical numbers were diverse, show-stopping spectacles, some of the sofa scenes were repetitive, feeling just like lead-ups to the songs. This developed in Act 2, and we got to experience more emotion as the characters opened up to each other and themselves.
‘Disco Ball’ was Oliver’s (Jo Foster’s) emotionally hitting number. Foster portrayed their first slice of vulnerability in this powerful moment as they opened up about the fears and struggles they went through embracing themselves as queer and non-binary. The applause for this number said it all.
And ‘Lost’, Nancy’s (Leesa Tulley’s) breakthrough song, was beautifully performed and, for me, the most emotionally touching as she uses the metaphor of a lost jumper to speak about her grief.
There is no denying that this musical is very funny, with a relatable Gen Z vernacular. There was a lot of laughter, though some gags were perhaps taken too far. What I mean to say is that some laughs were asked for when they would have naturally come anyway.
The number ‘Meet Market’, the tragicness of online dating, was particularly funny (and unfortunately relatable). Not another South London food, wine, and dog-loving male telling you they’re 6 feet when they are really 5’9.
Why Am I So Single? is a very fun watch, with bop after bop. If you are after a silly night in the West End, this one is for you.
