After the Tone at Bridewell Theatre

Harry’s got issues. His dad died, so he’s had to leave his prestigious American university to be by his mum’s side, despite believing that his father never really loved him. His only outlet is perving out his bedroom window each morning at a pretty girl in the bus queue.

Louise has issues too. She’s a sweet-hearted, caring sort who tries to look on the bright side despite a dark history that she longs to share with her best friend, who is too wrapped up in her own life to care.

Then there’s Saffy. She’s funny and warm but lonely until a gift from her mother sees her taking a series of dance classes where, thanks to her dance partner, she learns more than just the tango.

And Dylan. Dreary, drippy Dylan, who’s drinking, smoking and worrying too much after his girlfriend of seven years becomes suddenly distant.

These are the characters in the Bridewell Theatre’s latest play, After the Tone, a story told without a word of dialogue being exchanged. In fact, the only thing these characters share is the fact that their lives are about to go kablooey because of one woman – Livvi, the play’s fifth character, who is never seen.

It’s a musical, but while some of the funnier lyrics hit the mark, the more serious ones came off as trite, and had me laughing for the wrong reasons (the earnest ‘just because I don’t like football doesn’t mean I don’t love you Dad’, for example).

Compared to the sharp monologues, the songs failed to move the plot along, and as a consequence seemed to go on a bit too long. It seemed particularly brave for the first song after the interval to have all four actors repeatedly chime ‘I’m bored’ in a well-pitched but endless harmony.

Saying that, all four actors had good voices, and Laura Jane Matthewson’s Louise stood out as a real vocal talent. Sejal Keshwala’s Saffy got the most genuine laughs, with timing that made the absolute most of every joke.

You might have to negotiate a few plot holes and heavily signposted jokes, but the play’s warmer moments and rounded characters are what you leave the theatre thinking about.

With a script by Russell Thompson and music and lyrics by 18-year-old Oliver Fenwick, if this is what teenagers are writing I don’t think we have to worry too much about the future of British theatre.

After the Tone runs until Saturday 14 August at:

Bridewell Theatre
14 Saint Bride Street
The City
EC4Y 8EQ

Box office: 020 7353 333