Steve and Steff Forever
Photo credit: Fiona Scott-Petrie
Review by Martine Silkstone
Yesterday, my husband and I enjoyed a wonderfully romantic evening in Bury St Edmunds. First we strolled through the Abbey Gardens (which look phenomenal right now), then we wandered the streets of the medieval grid watching a young couple fall in love, before heading to Francela for a delicious meal. The weather was warm and balmy and the sunset spectacular. Simply the perfect date night.
Now, before you think the second part of that sounds a bit creepy, let me explain…
We were in town for Theatre Royal’s latest treat, ‘Steve and Steff Forever’ - a promenade production where you follow two actors around the streets as they perform a romantic comedy at various locations. Like a ‘living’ play, if you will.
Sounds different and exciting, right? And, boy, does it live up to those expectations.
It is the first time I have seen a performance like this and let me tell you - it’s marvellous!
For a start, the script by Ian Jarvis is clever, sweet and funny - exactly what you want from a romcom (and features a mention of Brief Encounter which is guaranteed to delight me under any circumstances).
But, most importantly, it connects us with the characters from their first chance meeting outside a café in Abbeygate Street. Seeing their spark, we instantly want them to be together, even though they are so different. Steve (Joshua Diffley) is a sensible insurance executive who likes to plan everything, while Steff (Anna Soden) is impulsive, easily distracted and “like a bubble on the breeze”. It shouldn’t work. Still, as you follow their journey from location to location (including some fabulous romantic role play in a shop on Whiting Street) you are rooting for them like they were friends.
Photo credit: Fiona Scott-Petrie
The brilliant, natural performances by our two leads are key, of course, along with great direction by Owen Calvert-Lyons. You are also supplied with headphones which provide a charming musical score, and let you listen to a few of their phone messages which helps round out the whole experience.
Throw in the positioning of relevant signs and posters as you pass previous places once again, and the whole thing becomes so immersive you could almost feel like a voyeur if you weren’t surrounded by other people enjoying the same thing.
Indeed, it’s worth noting that you get a second level of entertainment from casual passers-by who are completely bemused by proceedings. On our night there was even a dog in on the action! Fortunately, the cast are true professionals and not phased at all.
Special mention also for the marshalls, who guided us around gently and safely throughout, and pointed out the little set highlights where needed.
Yes, all in all, just a fantastic offering from the whole team at Theatre Royal.
It’s something new and it’s something wonderful, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
In fact, why not make an evening of it like we did? The show is wheelchair and pram friendly, and just an hour and 15 minutes so plenty of time to explore Bury St Edmunds, watch this charming show, then eat after at one of the many great restaurants in town. And the weather is set fair for the foreseeable future!
So, why haven’t you booked already?
Steve and Steff Forever is on the streets of Bury St Edmunds until 30 August.
FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE