Four broken hearts must face the past and look to the future, as they march into the strange and often hilarious world of love.
Love Quirks is an award-winning musical about a group of flatmates who explore the bizarre tribulations of love, friendship, and all the blurry lines in-between. What they find is never what they expect, and they must face up to their own Love Quirks to move forward.
Featuring a score of quirky, neurotic and poignant songs by composer/lyricist Seth Bisen-Hersh and a script by Mark Childers filled with laughter, pathos and sexual tension, Love Quirks will take you on a journey and have you thinking about your own Love Quirks.
Love Quirks ran in New York during the summer of 2022 after running off-Broadway at St. Luke’s Theater pre-pandemic in 2020 where it was the recipient of four 2021 Broadway World Off-Broadway Awards, including Best Production of a Musical, Best New Score of a Musical, Best New Book of a Musical, and Best Direction of a Musical.
The production will run at The Other Palace Studio in London with a cast including Lewis Bear Brown, Clodagh Greene, Tom Newland and Ayesha Patel.
We sat down with cast members Tom Newland and Ayesha Patel ahead of the run.
What can you tell me about Love Quirks and how your characters fit into the piece?
Tom: The show is so heartfelt, honest and just fun! Well we have had the most fun creating the piece so i hope that comes across to the audience. My character Chris is in a similar situation to the audience in the he just walks into this chaos of a flat but he does also bring in his own drama. I think Chris has a great character arc, he gives a big masculine bravado when he first moves into the the flat but as the piece goes on his emotions begin to get the better of him and we start to see his softer side and i think it ties in brilliantly with the trajectory of the show.
Tom: The show is so heartfelt, honest and just fun! Well we have had the most fun creating the piece so i hope that comes across to the audience. My character Chris is in a similar situation to the audience in the he just walks into this chaos of a flat but he does also bring in his own drama. I think Chris has a great character arc, he gives a big masculine bravado when he first moves into the the flat but as the piece goes on his emotions begin to get the better of him and we start to see his softer side and i think it ties in brilliantly with the trajectory of the show.
Ayesha: Love Quirks is a comedic, wholehearted and feel good show. It’s about four flatmates living in London, navigating the horrors and joys of finding love and connection. I play Lili, she’s struggling to get over her first love, she is trying to find her trust in men and love again. Alongside also trying to find her way in what she wants to do. She feels a bit chaotic and messy at the moment and is trying to break out of their dooming circle of her bad habits.
What drew you both to this piece?
Ayesha: I thought the characters were written to be so witty and so relatable. Through the audition process, learning Lili’s material, I felt nostalgic moments of ‘ooph ive been here before, definitely had that chat with my housemate in the kitchen.’ I felt like the scenes and songs were so fun to play, and the creative team in the room were so open to explore and try new things. I for sure wanted to work with them and this piece.
Tom: The main draw to the piece was that its new theatre. The idea of being able to create a character that you can add a bit of yourself too, for me is so exciting. New theatre allows you to broaden your creative instincts and gives you the freedom to try new things as you create your character, now who wouldn’t want that treat!
How would you describe the style of the show?
Tom: It's a very contemporary piece with an almost JRB/Sondheim feel to the harmony’s. The composer Seth Bisen-Hersh has created a beautiful score which is a massive crutch as a performer because he has almost done the acting for us with his melodies.
Ayesha: It’s so earnest, lighthearted and comforting - like your favourite sitcom. The music feels like classic musical theatre cabaret songs with heart wrenching ballads and cheeky comedic up-tempo songs woven together with such an intimate story.
Tom: It's a very contemporary piece with an almost JRB/Sondheim feel to the harmony’s. The composer Seth Bisen-Hersh has created a beautiful score which is a massive crutch as a performer because he has almost done the acting for us with his melodies.
Ayesha: It’s so earnest, lighthearted and comforting - like your favourite sitcom. The music feels like classic musical theatre cabaret songs with heart wrenching ballads and cheeky comedic up-tempo songs woven together with such an intimate story.
The show will play in the Other Palace Studio, how does the intimacy of the venue help in drawing an audience in?
Ayesha: It’s like the audience are in the flat and are all in on these characters’ lives. The show feels very personal, and I think this space really helps bring the audience into the emotional intimacy of the characters’ world.
Tom: The audience are so close it almost feels like they have an exclusive showing!
How have you approached putting your own stamp onto the characters?
Tom: I think the way we have worked with our director Cecilie has really helped with putting our own stamp on things. She has allowed us the freedom to show our ideas and discuss what works best.
Ayesha: Firstly, through the text, all of the clues about these characters are there. Also, as we’re now setting the show in London rather than New York (as the original production and script was), we were very lucky to be able to (with the writers and our lovely creative team) play with finding London-esque colloquialisms and references and find how these characters speak, and relate to a UK audience. From the first audition I felt an affinity with Lili’s character. A lot of the experiences and feelings she laments about in the musical I felt I could really relate to. I love to approach characters and text from a place of curiosity, playfulness and empathy. It’s been a very creative and open rehearsal room so I felt I could really explore Lili’s reactions and tactics to their full extent.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a performance?
Ayesha: For me, I need to get see the sun and sky before heading to the theatre. Have a nice coffee. Then a company warm up, connecting with everyone, lots of water, and then I’ll try and relax as much as I can whilst getting ready. Performing from a place of relaxation and play is the best, and allows me to be most present.
Tom: Do my best to stay calm!!!!! I have the belief that if you have done the work in rehearsals then you have to believe in yourself and your ability’s, trust you know it. I think everyone has there days where there voice wont be 100% or something in your life has happened and that’s okay you can’t help it, you’ve just got to give what you’ve got on the day. Physically I’ve got to keep moving throughout the day, I can’t sit around doing nothing. Going to the gym, meeting up with friends and family for coffee, anything to fill my day really.
What was the first piece of theatre you remember having a big impact on you?
Tom: Phantom of the Opera and more specifically the royal Albert hall performance. Ramin Karimloo is a massive inspiration for me and the way he created a phantom that you could end up sympathising with and feeling sorry for as well being a villain I just found absolutely incredible. After seeing that I just had this fire to try and create that experience for audience members and show the power of theatre and performing.
Ayesha: Wicked. I was 7 years old and had always been a huge fan of the Wizard of Oz. But watching Wicked for the first time. It’s a story that has really stuck with me (as it has for so many people) This was first time I really saw a character live on stage that I could really connect, feel seen by, relate to and then feel empowered by. I saw Rachel Tucker, and that performance by her sticks with me to this day, and genuinely is the reason I went into acting. and to this day, Elphaba is the dream role, and I have seen so many other incredible actresses and friends play the role since.
Tom: Phantom of the Opera and more specifically the royal Albert hall performance. Ramin Karimloo is a massive inspiration for me and the way he created a phantom that you could end up sympathising with and feeling sorry for as well being a villain I just found absolutely incredible. After seeing that I just had this fire to try and create that experience for audience members and show the power of theatre and performing.
Ayesha: Wicked. I was 7 years old and had always been a huge fan of the Wizard of Oz. But watching Wicked for the first time. It’s a story that has really stuck with me (as it has for so many people) This was first time I really saw a character live on stage that I could really connect, feel seen by, relate to and then feel empowered by. I saw Rachel Tucker, and that performance by her sticks with me to this day, and genuinely is the reason I went into acting. and to this day, Elphaba is the dream role, and I have seen so many other incredible actresses and friends play the role since.
How has theatre shaped the landscape of your life?
Tom: Theatre wasn’t what I expected my job would be but it has been an amazing surprise and i love taking the industry day by day and working to be the best I can be.
Ayesha: Theatre has really helped me with my confidence and to break out of comfort zones. It has also introduced me to some incredible people. I have met some of my nearest and dearest through working in theatre. Beautiful humans who I feel so grateful to get to love, to equally support and experience life with.
If you were stranded on a desert island but could take 3 musical theatre soundtracks with you to listen to, which 3 soundtracks would you take and why?
Ayesha: This is hard!
1. Wicked - because of all of the reasons above. It’s my favourite musical, and it brings so much joy.
2. Hunchback of Notre Dame - this is probably one of my all time favourite scores. The orchestrations and arrangements are incredible.
3. Anastasia - as this score is DIVINE, and it feels so nostalgic. This was also the first musical I ever saw on Broadway - it holds a very special place in my heart.
4. SPECIAL MENTION - Company (the 2019 London revival)- I love this show so much, and I think the lyrics are so raw, human and relatable. In both heartwrenching and comedic ways too. But I think it might make me a bit sad if I was stranded on a desert island.
Tom:
1. The Phantom of the Opera - its my dream show and I’d need to keep the tracks ticking over
2. Bat Out of Hell - who wouldn’t want Meatloaf blasting on a desert island. Crack open a coconut and have a serious session!
3. Benjamin Button - just listen to it, you’ll understand.
What keeps you inspired?
Ayesha: Taking in as much art as I can, of all mediums. New theatre (ESPECIALLY) Fine art, literature, music, and trying out new experiences too. I additionally feel a lot of inspiration when spending time with my friends who are also creatives and feeling buzzy with ideas.
Tom: expanding my knowledge is my main motive. I love watching films and listening to shows, it gets my mind working on how I would portray these characters and the challenges I would have and that excites me. Going to watch theatre is always inspirational, seeing the talent of those performers and the way they affect the audience, it gives me the passion to try and create experiences for audience members that brings them the joy that I feel when I'm at the theatre.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing Love Quirks?
Tom: a smile, I think if you don’t leave smiling then we haven’t done the piece justice.
Ayesha: That they feel uplifted, inspired, filled with love, and eager to continue supporting new musicals. I hope they enjoy themselves as we’ve truly had such a fun creating this show and can’t wait to welcome people to our world.
Where and when can people see Love Quirks?
People can catch Love Quirks at The Other Palace from September 18th - October 12th. We have matinees on Saturdays and Sunday.
Tickets for Love Quirks are available from https://theotherpalace.co.uk/love-quirks-a-new-musical/
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