Above : Lucy Maunder in NO LOVE SONGS. Pic by Brett Boardman
This show was first performed at the iconic Edinburgh Fringe in 2023, and is soon to premiere on Broadway.
The premise is very cool. High profile Scottish singer songwriter Kyle Falconer, lead singer of the band The View, dedicated his second album No Love Songs,( a highly ironic title),to his long time partner Laura Wilde. Together they came up with the idea of putting together, built around the songs. Laura and friend Johnny McKnight wrote the book for the show, charting their relationship from first looking at each other across a crowded bar.
The names have been changed for the show with Kyle becoming Jesse, played by Keegan Joyce and Laura turning in to Lana, played by Laura Maunder.
This is a heartfelt show with their love for each other , supremely challenged, but coming through in the end.
I wasn’t a big fan of the music but this is, by no means, a judgment call. It is a matter of taste, and no doubt many people who come to see this show are Falconer fans.
Keegan Joyce gave a fine performance, growing in intensity, with good vocals and guitar work.
Lucy Maunder is always good; great vocals combined with a very touching, an at times humorous, and at other times, harrowing performance.
Maunder had the most powerful scenes which she shone in; brilliantly playing an extended, very authentic child-birth scene, and she was stunning in her evocative portrayal of post natal depression.
Grant Anderson’s lighting design, with assistant Hugh Hamilton. was a real highlight, with other design work contributed by scenic designer Leila Kalbassi, costume designer by Cate Mackie and sound designer David Leitch.
This is the first time I have been to the Foundry, not having seen Tim Minchin’s opening show. I didn’t get a particularly good vibe about the venue. Personally speaking, I am sure that I would have enjoyed the show more if it was on at the Hayes. I am hoping that, in time, I will warm to Sydney’s newest theatre venue. We sure need more performance spaces.
NO LOVE SONGS, songs by Kyle Falconer with book by Laura Wade and Johnny McKnight, co-directed by Andrew Panton and Tashi Gore, with music direction by Mark Chamberlain, is playing the Foundry Theatre, Star City until the 13th April 2025. Performances Tuesdays to Fridays at 7.15pm, Saturdays at 2.15pm and 7.30pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 6pm.
