Two Strangers Carrying A Cake Across New York, Kiln Theatre Review

• Musical-Play: Two Strangers ( Carry a Cake across New York)
• Review Date: 16 January 2024
• Star Rating: *****
• Theatre: The Kiln, Kilburn, London NW6 – November 2023 – 20 January 2024; then Criterion Theatre, London SW1- 4 April – 17 July 2024
• Writers: Jim Barne and Kit Buchan
• Cast: Dujonna Gift (Robin) & Sam Tutty (Dougal)
• Director: Tim Jackson

Two is the magic number for Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). Two great cities. Two continents. Two actors. Two strangers (carry a cake across New York). Two hours long and way too cold!

OK the last bit won’t always ring true but on a freezing cold January night in Kilburn, North West London, the smash hit musical ‘Two Strangers (Carry a Cake across New York)’ set out to warm the cockles of theatre goers hearts in a brand new musical Rom-Com written by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan. Whilst we’re all very familiar with movie Rom-Coms seeing such a genre played out on stage is quite the rarity.

Dujonna Gift (Robin) and Sam Tutty (Dougal)

The premise of the play surrounds two strangers meeting up. Dougal (Sam Tutty) from London flys to New York to meet Robin (Dujonna Gift) ahead of the wedding of Dougal’s father (whom he’s never met) and Robin’s older sister Melissa. What ensues is a comedic musical play of great wit, humour and pure joy – with a myriad of layers to it that gradually get peeled back like an onion via numerous subtle surprises and plot twists.

Dougal is a totally loveable, irritable (to Robin) character, full of totally understandable boyish enthusiasm for his first visit to New York and the opportunity to not only sight see and attend his father’s wedding, but to meet him for the first time. In addition there’d be meeting  up with the American family he never knew he had. How sweet a set up. What could possibly go wrong? Well it would be remiss of me to say too much, suffice to say that streetwise New Yorker Robin has little time for sight seeing and even less time for Dougal’s wide eyed tourism and enthusiasm for all things family.

Sam Tutty (Dougal)

After a fashion it becomes clear, as the musical’s title reveals, that a wedding cake will have to be obtained and carried across New York and therein lies the journey to many revelations explaining the complicated family dynamics.

Whilst billed as a musical I would say it’s more of a straight play (60%) of the time with song and dance seamlessly segue-wayed in for 30% of the time. The singing, especially of Sam is an absolute joy – both vocally excellent allied to witty, funny lyrics telling a story of how he is feeling at any given scene. Dujonna Gift sings really well  with a fine West End musical vocal style.

There’s a very believable, relatable chemistry between the two actors which you see develop in a non-linear way through the show as the initial fixed positions of the characters shift in line with the developing storyline.

Great use is made of the enormous revolving set and huge array of suitcases so integral to the set and the story. It was so simple yet incredibly effective as a backdrop for so many surprises.

I loved the sequence and running story re Robin and matchmaking via tinder.

Dujonna Gift (Robin)

Act II takes it to another level as we approach the wedding and countless vital revelations. The tension, suspense and drama increases higher than the stack of suitcases piled on stage.

I like the questions posed by the show – Are we enough? Do we need to seek completeness from others  – especially those we’ve never met – even if societal norms tell us that we are meant to know and love our fathers and mothers, to be a part of their lives, attend big social gatherings. Does any of it truly matter in the big scheme of things?

It’s a story of connection – how two strangers from different continents can connect. The principals may be from two of the biggest, cultural cities in the world – divided by 3,500 miles but they found a human connection.

At the time and on reflection I still don’t think Robin should have revealed the information she did that caused so much friction. I understand why but the way it was done, came across all wrong – giving the impression that it wasn’t her place to. I guess without that the direction the play took and the dynamics between Dougal and Robin would have been different in Act II.

Dujanna Gift (Robin) and Sam Tutty (Dougal)

Two Strangers is a sensational piece of pure unadulterated fun, escapist musical theatre. I absolutely loved it. It’s a genuine feel good, smile on the face show.  A fantastic Rom-Com in the finest traditions, with an original take on this popular genre. The acting, singing, music, storyline and set were all first class.

I may be wrong but a fresh new play not based on a film is quite the novelty in theatre. That said it did remind me of a beautiful film I watched last Christmas – ‘The Noel Diaries’ (2022) – Netflix.

On a bitterly cold (-3c) night in Kilburn, this truly wonderful musical warmed the heart and I’m sure will have put smiles on faces of everyone watching before they braved the Kilburn cold. The closing standing ovation the actors received was richly deserved and it is easy to see why the show sold out its 3 month run at The Kiln.

Its success has earned itself a transfer to the West End at the Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly Circus. The journey continues. Two Strangers – now Carrying a cake from Kilburn to The West End. Catch it whilst you can. The cake is delicious.

© Tiemo Talk of The Town

© Photographs – Two Strangers

Two Strangers(Carry a Cake Across New York) – Official West End Trailer 2024

Links:

1. Roy Williams – Sucker Punch Review – 22 April 2023
2. For Black Boys, Six Black Men, Thrilling Audiences Live At The Apollo – Review 19 April 2023
3. Theatre and Performance Collections at the V&A – 2023

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