The search for love is not a new story, but it’s given a fresh treatment in Love Steps, the debut play of writer Anastasia Osei-Kuffour, starring Sharon Rose and Reece Richards.
This is the story – told very largely in rhyming verse – of Anna’s efforts to find the man of her dreams. We accompany Anna on her journey of trial and error, discovery and disappointment, pleasure and pain – hope springing eternal as she ventures down the many and varied routes to love. The writing is lively and while humorous, the play does explore the more serious issues of black female identity and self-worth. It is light hearted but with a serious undertone.
Sharon Rose, as Anna, has a strong rapport with the audience, encouraging understanding, empathy and amusement in equal measure. Her resilience and good humour only rarely descend into self-pity. Her struggles are very believable, but you sense that she won’t give up.
Taking place on a bare stage with scarcely any props, Love Steps is a mix of drama, poetry and music, but above all, dance. It is very physical theatre which relies entirely on the ability of Sharon Rose and Reece Richards to generate enough energy to hold your attention. And it is here, in particular, that Reece Richards shines. It’s much more than dance. Moving seamlessly between the various characters that populate Anna’s life, he uses his body and voice to produce wit, warmth, conflict and charm in a compelling performance.
Love Steps is an enjoyable take on an age-old story which is held together by a spirited script, energetic performances and inventive choreography – many thanks to Leroy ‘FX’ Dias Dos Santos
Commenting on her semi-autobiographical work Anastasia Osei-Kuffour. said: “When I was younger, I struggled to identify with romantic love represented in mainstream theatre, TV and film. I rarely saw myself reflected in those stories or in stereotypical beauty industry images.
“I wrote Love Steps to counter skewed cultural messages, highlight the turbulent love journeys people experience and hopefully inspire greater understanding for others”.
Love Steps runs until 20 April in the Omnibus Theatre, Clapham Common Northside SW4 0LH. Performances are at 7.30 on Tuesday to Saturday and at 4pm on Sunday. Tickets from £16.
For further information call 020 7498 4699 or go to https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/love-steps/
