When Harry Met Sally – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guilford

Writer :Nora Ephron

Adaptor :Marcy Kahan

Music :Ben and Jamie Cullum

Director :Michael Gyngell

Reviewer David Griffiths

The Public Reviews Rating:

I’m probably one of the few people not to have seen the film though inevitably I’ve viewed THAT scene in which Meg Ryan sends a chill down the spine of the male of the species! So the curtain rose to a pretty ordinary looking set and I began to think of other things I could be doing. How wrong I was. Within minutes the reason for the simplicity of the set was apparent and I was watching a fast moving witty encounter.

The play even passed the “gosh is that the time, I didn’t realise it was the interval already” test with flying colours. I found myself looking forward to the next appearance of each character and wondering how the next scene would develop the play. Because impressively, every one did. High brow stuff it isn’t, but if you want a thoroughly entertaining evening that simply flies by, then I encourage you to go.

So what of the storyline? Well, if like me you are one of the seven people yet to see the film it’s nothing more than boy meets girl, boy gets girl. And that makes the play even more impressive for creating an enjoyable production from such a simple well trodden idea.

So, the set. Or sets, because there was a multitude of scenes. Some only lasted a few minutes and yet subtle changes organised by the cast with the lights down kept the mood and maintained your interest. The play simply rattled along from start to finish never deviating from the high standard established when the main characters first met.

Rupert Hill as Harry and Sarah Jayne Dunn as Sally (yes I know it would hardly be the other way around) were utterly believable, likeable and you sensed the chemistry from the first moment. Rupert Hill struck a great balance between New Jersey laddishness and charm and Sarah Jayne Dunn’s pert character had me believing her OCD habits would extend to ironing the creases out of those fitted sheets that always look awful after being washed!

For a play so obviously centred on the titled characters it was unusual but welcome to feel interested in how the support characters developed. Harry and Sally’s best friends, Jack played by Luke Rutherford and Marie played by Kosha Engler were a welcome complement to the stars, their burgeoning relationship adding an interesting sub plot.

Michael Gyngell as director has given us a thoroughly entertaining show that deserves frankly a theatre full of paying customers and applause.