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10/17/2024 07:00 AMIs it a musical? Is it a story with music?
No Love Songs falls between a musical and a concert, with some scenes connecting the songs.
Whatever it is, I found it surprisingly touching.
The show, now at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre in Chester through Sunday, Oct. 20, is not a new show. It has a performance history in the UK and already has additional venues in the States scheduled.
Kyle Falconer wrote the music with a book by Laura Wilde and Johnny McKnight. Wilde and Falconer are credited with the original idea, which seems autobiographical; they are a couple.
Entering the theater, it seems set for a typical concert – amps, mics, and a keyboard are all there. The lighting is harsh concert lighting for most of the show.
During the 80 minutes or so, we hear 11 songs. Most are duets between the two characters – Jessie and Lana. Jessie and Lana are fictionalized versions of Falconer and Wilde and their story. From the first meeting, when Lana goes to a bar and meets the older Jessie through a courtship of sorts, the birth of their son, and Jessie’s departure on a US tour with a band, where they are the backup/opening act.
As the tour extends from two months to more, Lana falls into post-partum depression. She is taking care of the newborn, feeling locked into the house, having no friends, and thinking she looks terrible; it is a classic case.
Yet, in their calls with each other, she does not admit to the problems she is having managing alone and resents Jessie’s carefree Southern California live style. He doesn’t mention that he feels pressured to continue on the tour to support the family. He misses his son.
Yes, it does work out. Jessie returns, Lana is hospitalized, and eventually, they become a true family.
The title of the show comes from Jessie’s realization that he has never written a love song for Lana; he does remedy that.
John McLarnon, a Scottish actor and singer, plays Jessie as awkward, a little immature, yet very touching when he talks of his son. No one has told either of them how to be parents, but they will do the best they can.
As Lana, Anna Russell-Martin must go from a carefree university student to a suicidal new mother. She handles it well.
One issue is understanding the strong Scottish accents. After a few minutes, my ears partially adjusted to it and I could get most of the dialogue and song lyrics. Others in the audience mentioned that they had greater difficulty.
The last third of the show – the parts dealing with Lana’s depression and her recovery will move you. We know that post-partum depression is underdiagnosed and under-treated. Too many women, like Lana, are unable to reach out for help and can slowly sink further and further into the morass of depression, often leading to tragic results.
Music aficionados may recognize Falconer’s name; he is a Scottish musician who was the lead vocalist for The View and whose solo album, No Thank You, was number 1 on the UK Album Chart.
The Terris Theatre’s more intimate space suits No Love Songs well.
For tickets, visit www.goodspeed.org.