Falling In (and Out) of Love, Q&A with cast and crew

Falling In (and Out) of Love is a witty, romantic cabaret which explores the many sides of love -  from the thrill of a budding romance, to the reality of relationships, marriage and everything in between. Performed by husband and wife duo Jemima and Luke, the show merges performance with songs from the Great American Songbook as well as hits from twentieth-century musical theatre. Ahead of the show’s debut at the Wanstead Fringe this September, I spoke to the team behind the production about what inspired the show, performing together as a married couple and why audiences will always resonate with songs about the realities of love…

What inspired you to create Falling In (and Out) of Love?

We have always loved to work together (in fact, it's how we met!), and for a few years now we have been singing at private parties and touring around on various performing jobs. We were asked by a longstanding client to create a show for them, and we realised that this was an opportunity to fill it with the music we love to perform. We wanted our show to have a narrative, and ours was right in front of us: the ins and outs of a long-term relationship.

One of the key ways you explore love is through songs from the Great American Songbook and twentieth-century musical theatre. What is it about these types of songs that makes them such enduring expressions of romance?

We try to keep a healthy mix of timeless classics that people know and love, with a few lesser-known (and more irreverent) pieces. All of them, though, highlight an aspect of love - even some of the more uncomfortable ones! You just can't beat the Great American Songbook for beautiful melodies, they are just a joy to sing.

The show covers everything about love and romance, with wit and charm. Why did you want to explore the less-than-perfect side of romantic relationships alongside the more glamorous version of love?

Because that's where the fun is kept! In fact, we have found that audiences reacted most strongly to the "non-glamorous" pieces

You perform the show together as husband and wife. How much does your own relationship influence the way you approach the material?

It certainly makes for a fun rehearsal process! To be honest, we put the audience first when it comes to the material. We want the audience to have a great night and we are happy to poke fun at ourselves in so doing.

How did you find the balance between romance, humour and deeper themes?

In order of importance, we definitely go humour, romance, then deeper themes. At its core Falling In (and out of) Love is a comedy show. The romance is peppered in for audience enjoyment and to set up the stakes. Then we add in deeper themes sparingly so they pack a punch.

How did you go about choosing the songs for the show?

We have a massive folder of song ideas to go into this show or another. Luke is constantly sending things over. We are huge fans of the genre as well as performers, so we are always uncovering new pieces that fit the bill

You blend storytelling with performances of songs - how do these elements work together to craft a journey for the audience?

We have always found that audiences appreciate clarity and simplicity. We want to knit the storytelling and poetry seamlessly into the evening so the audience can sit back and be swept away.  

What do you hope audiences leave with after seeing the show?

Great big smiles on their faces as they hum a familiar tune while strolling home.

What’s next for this play, and for you both as performers?

We have another few bookings coming up towards the end of the year. In fact, we have been asked to create a new show for November. Otherwise, we are both currently auditioning for new projects, and we have some ideas for the Fringe next year too!

Finally, what do you appreciate about Fringe theatre that’s different to other performance venues? What are you looking forward to about performing at The Wanstead Curtain?

For us, Fringe is all about the intimacy one can have with an audience. There is nowhere to hide. It's fantastic! We have lived in Wanstead for 8+ years so we have a very personal connection to the area.We are so delighted to get to perform at The Wanstead Curtain, it's a truly fantastic performance space and we look forward to seeing it grow as a venue.