The latest review from the papers

Footstool Players’ Crazy Little Thing Called Love: The sketch called ‘I Love You More’, features Sean Low and Adrene Wong as a couple being kiasu about expressing their love for each other.  Love in all its wondrous forms is explored thoroughly in this collection of sketches that offer laughter as well as tears.  WHO doesn’t love a good love story? Whether they portray sweeping passions and staying true despite all odds, or bittersweet partings and tragically broken hearts, love stories never fail to stir the spirit and touch the heart. Thirteen sketches about love did just that during the opening performance of Crazy Little Thing Called Love last week at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. Produced by local theatre group, the Footstool Players, in partnership with the not-for-profit company, Focus on the Family Malaysia, Crazy Little Thing wants to get one message across: that love comes in various forms, and has a much bigger impact on our lives than most could imagine. And it manages to do that very well, indeed. The production is divided into two 55-minute acts with the first focusing on romantic relationships and the second on issues pertaining to family life, particularly parent-child relationships. The cast members – comprising Adrene Wong, Ann Choo, Colin Kirton, Ee Soon Wei, Jonathan Tan, Linora Low, and Sean Low – do a remarkable job of bringing life and depth to the characters they play. This is particularly commendable because most of the cast members don’t have any professional acting experience. (The exceptions are Kirton, whose performance in 2006’s Broken Bridges, The Musical received a Best Solo Performance, Voice, Boh Cameronian Awards nomination; and Linora Low, who appeared in the musical Ismail, The Last Days in August this year.) I have to say, Crazy Little Thing delights from beginning to end; each of its sketches is powerful and gets straight to the point with no wasted words or motions. The sets are simple, with only the most basic of props, so the plays rely – successfully – on the strength of the actors’ performances and the music to carry the production’s themes. Lost in Transmission, written by Kirton and adapted from an essay by American humour columnist Dave Barry, was both relevant and hilarious, while A Late Lunch (written by Lawrence and Annie Enscoe) captivated thanks to its masterful script and passionate performances from Linora Low and Kirton. Ee Soon Wei excelled in his monologue during I Am My Father’s Son (written by Kirton and Jonah Sng), whileThe Ledger People (written by Paul and Nicole Johnson) was an especially inspired way of examining issues such as the importance of give-and-take in a relationship. Kirton deserves special commendation, as he is effective in comedic and dramatic scenes alike. His dedication to his roles makes him a delight to watch whether he’s playing a frustrated parent impatient with his estranged daughter (A Late Lunch) or a little boy devoted to his adopted father (Charlie and Ruth Jones’ Billy) – his performance in the latter, especially, really needs to be seen to be believed. Crazy Little Thing is a triumph of moments that are, in turns, heart-warming and heart-wrenching. It handles its subject matter exceptionally well, exploring the ups and downs of love in everyday situations that will be familiar to everyone. Indeed, that is another of the play’s strengths: anyone who’s ever felt the giddy rush of falling in love or experienced the firm, tangled ties of family relationships will find it easy to empathise with at least one of the many characters in the 13 sketches.

  Crazy Little Thing Called Love is on until Sunday at Pentas 2, at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (Jalan Strachan, off Jalan Ipoh, Sentul Park). Performances are at 8.30pm daily; there is an additional 3pm matinee tomorrow and only a matinee (no evening show) on Sunday. Tickets at RM30 (RM20 for students, senior citizens, and the disabled) are available at the box office (03-4047 9003). For more information call 03-4047 9000 or go to footstoolplayers.com/current.htm.