I Do Review – Immersive Hotel Drama as Wonderful as a Real Wedding Day
At the Malmaison hotel in London, theatregoers are invited into an intimate, site-specific experience that captures the chaotic beauty of a wedding day. Dante or Die's acclaimed production, I Do, originally staged in 2013, has been reprised as part of the Barbican's Scene Change season, offering a fresh and emotional journey through the final ten minutes before a ceremony begins.
A Voyeuristic Glimpse into Pre-Wedding Nerves
The audience is divided into groups and shuttles between six different rooms in the hotel, each revealing a new scenario in the buildup to the wedding of Georgie, played by Carla Langley, and Tunde, portrayed by Dauda Ladejobi. This immersive structure allows for a carefully coordinated, yet spontaneous, exploration of wedding day tropes, from spirited bridesmaids dancing on beds to surreptitious encounters and last-minute "call it all off" nerves.
Initially, the show feels like an exercise in voyeurism, but it quickly deepens into a moving portrayal of human vulnerability. Created by Daphna Attias and Terry O'Donovan, the production lays bare the emotional messiness that often accompanies such significant life events, turning fleeting moments into profound insights.
Heart-Wrenching Scenarios and Stellar Performances
Each room presents a unique snapshot of love and conflict. In one poignant scene, Georgie's mother, Helen, played by Johanne Murdock, confronts her unfaithful ex-husband, David, portrayed by Jonathan McGuinness, in a moment of regretful tenderness. Another room reveals a same-sex passion involving the fabulously antsy best man Joe, brought to life by Manish Gandhi.
Perhaps the most painful scenario involves Georgie's grandparents, Gordon and Eileen, played by Geof Atwell and Fiona Watson. Eileen dresses Gordon, who is in a wheelchair, possibly due to a stroke, unable to speak or move. Writer Chloë Moss captures their frayed love and frustration with remarkable economy, especially when Helen enters to find her father half-dressed, whispering "I miss you" to herself as he looks on with desperation.
Impeccable Design and Direction
The set design by Jenny Hayton perfectly replicates the corporate kitsch of a hotel-wrapped wedding package, complete with rose petals on beds and towels crafted into love hearts. It also incorporates personal detritus from the characters, such as TCP in the bathroom and champagne bottles in the bride's room, adding layers of authenticity to the immersive experience.
Direction by Daphna Attias is immaculate, allowing for stillness where emotions evolve through subtle looks, touches, and tiny shifts in expression. The story gathers shape gradually, sequenced so that audiences can piece together intrigues at their own pace, enhancing the personal connection to the drama.
A Surreal and Charming Conclusion
A corny yet charming element is introduced by a cleaner who moves through the corridors in a backward motion, as if rewinding the drama. This surreal touch adds a layer of whimsy to the production, balancing the heavier emotional moments.
By the end, audiences are likely to care deeply for almost every character, experiencing the show as big, heart-wrenching, ridiculous, and wonderful as any real wedding day. I Do runs at the Malmaison hotel in London until 8 February before touring to other locations, offering a unique theatrical experience that resonates with the universal complexities of love and commitment.
