Why Am I So Single? is a question on many people’s minds. Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss wrote down this question and their countless thoughts, and then placed those thoughts in a musical with big catchy melodies which resulted in an interesting evening. Some may think airing your dirty laundry is not welcome, but this fantastical show is more than welcome, but is it worthy of a West End Stage?

Hot off their thriving and still very successful musical Six, a show about Henry VIII’s doomed marriages to his ill-fated wives which not only took the West End but also the world by storm. Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss‘s biographical musical recounts the author’s dreary experience of dating in the twenty-first century. Their show is full of why, what’s and ifs- which made me think is this show about me?

And most importantly… Ah, the joys of dating!

Jo Foster and Leesa Tulley, are both strong leading players, whose chemistry shines through and holds together the messy and at times tedious narrative. However, when watching them on stage I feel like I am watching myself hanging out with my best friends. Jo Foster is a bona fide star. The first leading non-binary character in a musical is full of charismatic charm and perfect comedic timing which is often used to mask deeper issues and themes. Foster’s authentic portrayal tackles the emotional scenes and songs with glitter and dark humour. However, the beautiful acting choices allow the glitzy numbers such as ‘Disco Ball’ to highlight important issues but never overshadow the struggle queer people face and how their humour is often a defence mechanism. Leesa Tulley is equally the star, her vocals are impressive, and her acting is an equal partner to Foster, however, I felt her big number ‘Just in Case’ was underwhelming. Then there’s the ensemble who are tasked with challenging costumes and huge tap dances which are faultless. Keeping the highly energetic show going, each and everyone is a true performer. Working perfectly as a team!

The true cleverness of the musical is the intertextuality used throughout the show, which every musical theatre fan will love. The ongoing reference to the musical Oliver! Is clever and funny, making the main characters Oliver and Nancy, which creates a formality for all Oliver! Fans out there. But it isn’t just Oliver! that is given a nod, the chaotic and bizarre act one closer about a bee is choreographed to be Macavity in Cats, which is a personal favourite. All of the references act as tributes to other shows adding a bit more fun to an already fun show.

Moi Tran’s set is simple and at times underwhelming. Given the vastness of the stage at the Garrick Theatre, I felt the staging was lost in the space. However, Max Johns, costume design is highlighted in Tran’s ingenious idea of using the ensemble as props, spanning from fridges to dustbins to a footstool, which added some character to an otherwise bland, basic staging – which I do believe would benefit on a smaller stage. The addition of Jai Morjaria lighting is clever, highlighting the changes in scenery such as the window changing to a phone screen. Morjaria uniquely used spotlights around the actors as opposed to directly on their faces.

Totalling the run at 150 minutes, including an interval, I felt it would benefit from trimming some additional time and being a one-act musical. Yes, some of the numbers are weaker than others and at times the script felt messy; granted, it won’t be the next big thing. But the real charm of this musical is the fact it is an ode to friendships and how your friends are your true soul mates. With Why Am I So Single? being a true story, its honesty is apparent in every scene, song and character. It was overall a joyous evening and it does make you leave the theatre feeling a little less bad about being single!

Why Am I So Single? is currently playing at London’s Garrick Theatre from Tuesdays to Sundays.

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