This delightful new hit musical is in its first West End season at the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly Circus. We went to see it – and it was a lovely treat!
Jim Barne and Kit Buchan’s musical premiered successfully at London’s Kiln Theatre in 2023 and is a story that revolves around Dougal, a naive and impossibly upbeat Brit who arrives in New York for his dad’s second wedding – the dad he’s never known. Waiting for him at the airport is Robin, the sister of the bride. She’s a native New Yorker, late for work, and doesn’t have time to stop and see the sights. Despite their initial lack of instant attraction – not love at first bite – with an elaborate wedding approaching and the Big Apple at their feet, they get to know and like each other through sharing their heartaches and having some unplanned, extravagant fun.
This intimate and refreshingly original show whisks together all the right ingredients – delicious romance, fluffy comedy and generous sprinkles of culture clash – to cook-up a tasty delight . Sam Tutty and Dujonna Gift deliver joyful performances with wit, charm and outstanding vocals. The ‘Dad’ song was our favourite and we found it particularly moving.
The set is simple but effective in bringing the New York based story to the audience. There is the hilarious distorted perception of the glamorous New York, which Dougal has previously only seen on TV and in the movies, while the grittier reality is of normal people struggling to make a living – like Robin, who works all hours in a coffee shop to make ends meet.
Dujonna Gift (Robin), Sam Tutty (Dougal)
Two Strangers kneads together all the ingredients for a great night out in the West End. Mostly suitable for an over-16 audience, this is a feel good rom-com that successfully portrays, as the strangers traverse across New York, the journey of self-discovery that many young people face in our complex and multi-layered society.
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) is at the Criterion Theatre in London until 31 August 2024. Ticket prices start at under £40 per person. For more information and to book your ticket, please visit their website at twostrangersthemusical.com
For our selection of family friendly theatre and art shows in London, please visit our shows page.