Zanna, Don’t! (Landor Theatre)

Just the name of Heartsville High tell you what you’re about to witness; an incredibly camp love story where everyone is gay and Zanna (David Ribi), the gay Cupid, matches everyone together.

Anyone living in the 21st century is aware of the legalisation of gay marriage – Zanna, Don't presents a somewhat a parallel universe where being straight is the ‘problem’. Tim Acito and Alexander Dinelaris' show is very fairytale-esque in structure and centres on a two gay couples who want to be hetero but fear judgement.

David Ribi's portrayal of the title character is an archetypal camp, blonde airhead; but a lack of depth means he does not come off as authentic. By contrast, Jonathan Dudley’s as Mike, the heartthrob chess champion who, in Heartsville High world, has the popularity of a jock, is spot-on.

The small Landor stage is used to its full potential by director Drew Baker and choreographer Holly Hughes. The ensemble numbers, particularly "Fast" and "Straight to Heaven", work especiall well in the horseshoe arrangement. Acito's score has a good mix of catchy, upbeat songs and well as ballads to evoke the love triangles and emotion behind the façade.

Running at nearly two hours with no interval, it's a big ask of the audience, especially seeing as the pace slips somewhat in the latter stages. I found myself uncomfortable and unable to concentrate fully. And, being on the pedantic side, I was left confused as to why Zanna is the only one given a (non-working) microphone.

But on the whole it's a pleasing show; it has a camp feel good factor, and they certainly haven’t scrimped on the sequins!

Zanna, Don't! continues at the Landor until 29 June