Love in the Past Participle[author-post-rating] (4/5 Stars)

Love in the Past Participle is a gentle show, which wears its sometimes difficult subject matter lightly. As the title suggests, the piece explores relationships which have now ended, and the cast of four tell us about them as they unfold – from first glimpse to last moments.

It’s a very simple idea, but one that unfolds to be about so much more than the two doomed relationships being played out on stage. Four actors sit, separately, facing the audience. Each has a handful of props to hint at their individual circumstances, but for the most part they just speak, in turn, directly to the audience. There’s nowhere to hide with this style of delivery, and the cast pull off the direct address with a nice mix of earnestness and skill. It’s very sweetly done, as they are spot-lit in turn and tell us parts of their story. The bits gradually join up into two relationships, and eventually collide into one story where all four characters are inter-linked in some way.

The big reveal isn’t especially momentous, but this gradual build-up and gentle denouement suits the slightly meandering script. It’s beautifully acted by the cast, who also produce their own sound effects. It’s a well-written, if slightly insubstantial, meditation on the different kinds of love and relationships, and how these change over time. Relationships, and people, are complicated, and Love in the Past Participle embraces that. At times, it’s a little sugary, but in the main it’s a sweetly endearing show.

It also packs a lot into a short time, but in such a gentle way that it doesn’t feel rushed or overwhelming. It’s delightfully matter-of-fact about sex and lust, and tackles larger issues such as homophobia with a light touch, too. A simple premise taken to great heights by a cracking cast.

Love in the Past Participle is at theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall until 17 August. For more information and tickets visit the EdFringe website.