Lovesong (ETT) – Royal Exchange Studio – Manchester

Writer and Director: Che Walker

Music: Omar Lyefook

Reviewer: Helen Jones

The Public Reviews Rating:

English Touring Theatre have brought their Edinburgh fringe production Lovesong to the Royal Exchange Studio. A collaboration between writer/director Che Walker and musician Omar Lyefook,it is best described as a musical monologue.

Oscar, a faded soul singer, tells the story of his life. He buys his women, buys his drugs and makes money by performing at unknown clubs in small towns. To him, everything is easy come, easy go and that’s the way he seems to like it.

As the play progresses you begin to realise that this is not actually his ideal life. His car is torched by the wayward child next door,and we discover that the love of his life left him after he forced her into an abortion. But redemption comes in a completely unexpected form and in the end, Oscar realises that what is missing from his life is family.

Performer Omar is charismatic and credible. His gentle soul/funk songs intersperse his speeches, adding another level to our understanding of the character. Omar has a stunning voice and his music is evocative without being saccharine sweet. But the music never outshines his acting which is restrained yet convincing.

Che Walker has created a piece which overflows with wry humour, never aiming for belly laughs but instead a more subtle irony in the situations his character finds himself. He also directs with a skill, which allows Omar his creative expression while staying in keeping with the role.

At under an hour long, Lovesong is not a full evening’s entertainment, but it is a show that fully deserves to be seen, even if just to listen to the soulful voice of Omar as it washes over you.