Review by: Bianca Utset
The Love Code was nothing at all like I had anticipated. Upon the first few minutes of watching, I thought I was in for a silly farce, especially after meeting the neurotic character of Dylan and sweet Odette. However, as the show progressed I realized this was so much more than a comedic piece, but a piece about love, family, and the moral decision of having to choose between success and love.
To be completely transparent, as an actor familiar with work on zoom, I could tell these actors were reading their scripts from their screens. However, these actors were able to connect with each other despite that obstacle, which I found impressive, as they didn’t fall into the trap of being glued to their screens. The actors were confined by their zoom boxes, but managed to stay engaging and their energy radiated through the screen. Their acting choices were sharp and were followed through completely, and despite them sitting for 95% of the show, they had my attention the whole time.
The plot itself took me by surprise, as I wasn’t expecting so many serious topics to be covered in what I thought was going to be a light hearted play. The scene that really stuck with me was when Odette had an affair with her boss, but it obviously was a situation where she didn’t feel completely comfortable and felt pressure to engage because he was a higher up. A situation like that was just discussed in the Theatrical intimacy workshop I took the other day, where Laura Rikard mentioned that we often feel pressured to agree to situations when someone is in power. This scene was the perfect example of how that can play out, and it was uncomfortable to watch, but definitely necessary to be able to recognize.
For me this show had two acts that were almost like two different stories, the first act was an office romance hindered by a corporation. It was almost like a daydream or cartoon brought to life, with the eccentric characters. The second half, however, was as if reality seeped in and corrupted the sweetness that was established. The ending was the moment that shocked me the most, as I really expected a fairytale ending and for David to choose supporting Odette over making money. However, this play showed how even the nicest of people can be corrupted by the allure of being rich and successful. Even with Odette’s daughter’s girlfriend in the hospital, David still chose to stay and pursue his business venture rather than support someone who he considered his love.
Overall, The Love Code was a surprisingly layered commentary on love and temptation. Shows like these remind me that Theatre on zoom can carry on the legacy, even if it’s on an unconventional platform. What matters is the story being told, and no platform can change that.
The Love Code was written by Katie Leslie and was the winner of the 2020 David Shelton award.
