A very modern romance: London’s brilliant new play
Living in London is a wonderful thing, especially at Christmas time. There are so many exciting things to do that the city really can take your breath away in these winter months. One of our favourite pastimes here at the YCB offices is to visit the theatre for a little escape. It is much like going to the cinema although you feel much more immersed in the emotions, and after years of watching romantic comedies we love nothing more than a piece which turns the genre on its head.
After a sold out run, the widely regarded How To Date a Feminist is back at the Arcola Theatre, one of London’s leading off-West End theatres. The play, written by Samantha Ellis and directed by Matthew Lloyd, is a hilarious new spin on the Hollywood romcom with a role switcheroo, proving there really are no rules when it comes to feminism. Lloyd has had great success in the theatre, with Olivier nominations and working with Jude Law, so How To Date a Feminist stands itself in good stead across the boards.
Picture this: Kate likes her men tall, dark and smouldering. She has a fatal attraction to bad men. Then she meets Steve… Steve is a feminist. Can she overcome her love of lipstick, cupcakes and Heathcliff? Can he forgo the ethical confetti and learn to be a little bit more ravishing in bed? Can the two of them reinvent romance for the 21st Century?
There is nothing about the play’s description that we don’t love. Isn’t it about time a man embraced feminism? More specifically on the stage. There are multiple connotations of the word feminist, and many people believe there is a time and a place for feminism. Thanks to courageous figures from Hillary Clinton to Emily Ratajkowski, women are taking ownership of their identities and men are listening. Joseph Gordon Levitt, Ryan Gosling and even Prince Harry identify themselves as feminists and now so does Steve in this enlightening new tale.
This light hearted comedy with a message tells that there are still women out their who believe that women need saving, or that women need a man but there are men who are beginning to see the ways of the world are changing and that progress can be made. It’s a tale of two opposing characters finding common ground in this sticky terrain of feminism, mixed with comedy and of course romance. When Winter is the time to watch The Holiday or Love, Actually, what you should really be settling down to is How To Date a Feminist.
Whatever your position on feminism, let the story open your mind to both sides of the argument as you enjoy the performances by Tom Berish and Sarah Daykin who play Kate and Steve perfectly. The play had a sold-out premiere and even a national tour, cementing the fact that this sure is a must see this season. Whilst tourists usually retreat to London to enjoy West End musicals (we’re huge Aladdin fans FYI), we would advise Londoners to give this a go – and those from outside the city too. On from now until December 17th you’re going to have to hurry if you want to catch this!
Book your tickets here!
