"It's a chemistry-filled match made in theatre heaven"

James Graham seems to have all of the West End under his creative thumb, a monopoly that is proving no bad thing. Upon booking tickets for sparky political comedy Labour Of Love I wasn't at all surprised to find the prolific writer's newly transferred Ink (the Rupert Murdoch bioplay) playing just minutes down the road from the Noel Coward Theatre. His keen eye for stories drawn from the heart of British culture, history and current events has now settled on the country's tumultuous relationship with the Labour Party since Maggie Thatcher reigned supreme. Yet rather than portraying the political saga as a long-ranging epic, it forms the backdrop for a much more relatable relationship between its two leads, played with aplomb by Tamsin Grieg and Martin Freeman. It's a chemistry-filled match made in theatre heaven that carries the entire production 

Grieg plays salt-of-the-earth Nottingham Forrest resident Jean Whittaker, a Labour Party member from the tender age of 12 (she proudly states she lied about her age on the application) and Freeman takes on the role of David Lyons, a progressive centrist Labour MP newly installed in this traditional labour heartland. Together they make strange bedfellows as Jean dutifully shows David the ropes, becoming his constituency agent, co-worker and firm friend despite their slight ideological differences and constant bickering.

Set in non-chronological order, the story begins on the eve of the 2015 general election, marking Jeremy Corbyn's ascent as Labour leader but also Nottingham Forrest's historical change from historically red to blue seat, much to the dismay of Blairite David. After 20 something years of the political shift from the old guard to centre, David prepares to hang up his red rose, and fiesty, warmhearted and loyal Jean is right there along with him. The action then rewinds over the years, taking the audience back through significant political events on a local and national level, embodied in video montages and iconic songs from each era that allow for set and costume changes. Through ex-spouses, workplace dramas and many hilarious, rapid-fire one-liners the years roll back to reveal the blossoming relationship between David and Jean, a partnership that initially embodies the UK's north and south divide but ultimately overcomes the stormy seas of their inherent differences.

The play's driving force is the dialogue-heavy script, a sizeable challenge that would leave any Shakespearean actor quaking in their breeches. Yet Grieg and Freeman imbue the text with the perfect balance of rhythm and comic timing, performing their dual-like repartee brilliantly. This is even more wondrous considering Grieg stepped into her role only two weeks prior to opening. While not wholly seamless (not every pun lands its mark), the onstage interaction of these two remarkable actors is enough to fill a mid-week matinee performance, and I suspect every show henceforth.

As the political pendulum swings back and forth, and the dynamic duo trade witty barbs for more tender, yet still humorous moments, the gimmick-free stage design shies away from modern theatre bells and whistles, placing the emphasis firmly on character interaction and development. Perhaps one small bell or whistle here and there might have broken up the building monotony of such a text and speech heavy undertaking, but again Grieg and Freeman are enough to make any plodding moments distant memories.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening awaits those whose curiosity may be piqued by this dynamic pairing's star power, and they certainly demonstrate why they are two of the most celebrated British actors of the last few decades. While not as heavy-hitting as some of Graham's previous works, this raucous little romp is filled to the brim with the quintessential British "Keep Calm and Carry On" spirit, a poignant reminder that no matter how bad the politics of the day may seem, there is always hope. Come for the chemistry between Grieg and Freeman, but stay for a heartwarming and unexpected story that'll have you welling up with British pride.

Reviewed by Teia

Labour of Love is at the Noel Coward Theatre until December 2nd