I Love You Because

Greetings card writer Austin and his pedi-cab driving brother Jeff are dating photographer Marcy and her best friend Diana, but the course of true love never did run smooth and the characters of I Love You Because run the gamut of emotions trying to work out who should be with whom.

Meanwhile, Brigette and Danny, the observers, comment upon the action and move the scenery with ease – apart from “this darn sofa”.

All six work well together, singing and acting their hearts out through the saccharine-soaked material.

Olivia Holland-Rose (Diana) and Jonty Poward (Jeff Bennet) are particularly likeable as the unlikely couple who bond over a My Little Pony abacus. Andrew McDivitt (Austin) and Claire Hall (Marcy) sing their songs with ease and charm, and Helen Coad as Brigette and Jimi Mitchell as Danny make the most of their smaller parts.

Finally, a strong band under the musical direction of Richard Robinson bring the score of this musical to life.

– Julie McNicholls