[Ad-gifted] Last night’s performance of Do I Love You? at the New Vic is a three-person comedy act from the John Godber Company, written and produced by the eponymous John Godber. Three young people – friends from school – are starting to look for work after finishing their not-so-illustrious education and then having their plans disrupted by Covid… and are now wondering what steps to take next (pardon the pun – but there is dancing involved).
What with one thing and another, the trio from Hull all end up working in the same fast-food drive-thru, trying to scrape together enough money to get by while each dealing with their own family trials and tribulations – not to mention an awkward love triangle that springs up along the way.
Between the broken homes, the unfulfilled dreams and the exhausting shifts at the drive-thru, Sally, Nat and Kyle find themselves unexpectedly caught up in the world of Northern Soul music, partly fostered by a connection through Sally’s gran’s collection of old records. Desperate for some entertainment on the cheap, they join an all-nighter at a local Northern Soul club packed with old-timers who really know how to dance. At first they are overawed by the sheer age of the punters, but soon they start making real connections with the people they meet and the music they hear.
What did I think of Do I Love You?
It is quite something to see three young people – in ordinary clothing and with minimal props – hold their own on the central stage to a sizeable audience. All three worked the stage with a sublime ease that belied the hard work they must have put into the rehearsals. The characters they played were funny and relatable, and their life stories a blend of pathos and humour that were superbly presented.
The true Northern Soul fans up in the balcony were really ‘giving it some’ when the old hits were played… clapping and swaying in time to the music. And yes, we did get treated to some talc on the dance floor as Sally, Nat and Kyle prepared themselves for the ‘big all-nighter in Blackpool’. The cast’s dancing talents were obvious, although we only got a tantalising glimpse of them. More dancing, please!
For me, this is the best kind of British comedy. Witty, observant, dark at times – a true reflection of young people navigating the gritty reality of life up north. There was plenty of strong language, but it was used to good effect. Nothing was throwaway – no politics, no posturing. This is a great production and I recommend you go and see it; treat yourself to an evening of genuinely great, original entertainment.
Cast
Martha Godber plays Sally. Martha is John’s youngest daughter, was born and bred in Hull and is the founder of The Godber Theatre.
Emilio Enchinoso-Gil plays Kyle. He is a part-Spanish actor born in Hull and trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts.
Chloe McDonald plays Natalie. Chloe is a Belfast-born actor who graduated from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.
Understudies: Sophie Suddaby and Tom Gallagher
Creatives
John Godber is the writer and director of Do I Love You? He is a British playwright and the co-founder (along with his wife, Jane) of the John Godber Company.
Sally Molloy is the choreographer and has been a fan of Northern Soul music since discovering it at the Kings Hall, Stoke-on-Trent. She was crowned World Northern Soul Dance Champion in 2022.
Sarah Follon is the company stage manager and Graham Kirk is in charge of set design and production management.
How much are the tickets for Do I Love You?
Tickets are on sale now, priced from £15 to £33.
Concessions: £2.00 off
Group Discounts: £2.00 off for ten or more
Under 16s Go Free
Under 26s Go Free
How do I book tickets to watch Do I Love You?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 01782 717962 or visit the New Vic Theatre’s website here.
How long is the show for and what are the timings?
Do I Love You? will run until Saturday, 24 May 2025 with evening shows at 7.30pm and Matinee at 2.15pm (on 17/05, 22/05 and 24/05).
Where is New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme?
New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG
The theatre has a large car park, with a £2.20 charge on show days. Only contactless card payment is currently accepted for parking charges.
The theatre café is open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday – then from 5.30pm for pre-show meals.
Booking is required for pre-show meals 5.30pm onwards, via their booking system at this link.
About The New Vic Theatre
Founded in 1962, the New Vic is the producing theatre for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. With around eight major productions a year, its varied programme includes contemporary drama, new commissions, adaptations and classics. Recent productions have toured nationally and internationally, and have transferred to London and Manchester. The New Vic has developed extensive and award-winning community involvement. It works regionally, nationally and internationally through its education department and New Vic Borderlines, which aims to change the lives of the most disadvantaged members of the community. The New Vic is funded by Arts Council England, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council.
About the John Godber Company
The John Godber Company was established in 2011 with the purpose of allowing the playwright John Godber to continue expressing himself through the dramatic form. John and his playwright/director/actor wife, Jane Thornton, decided to create their own company in order to keep control of their work.
The John Godber Company, which has a base in East Yorkshire, often produces national tours out of Theatre Royal Wakefield, and partner-productions at Hull New Theatre and East Riding Theatre amongst others. The John Godber Company believes in putting the artist at the centre of the theatrical creative process.
Review by: Metia Bethell
You may also want to read this:
Review: Abigail’s Party at the New Vic Theatre
Review: A Play for the Living in a Time of Extinction at New Vic Theatre
Review: Arnold Bennett’s The Card at New Vic Theatre
Photo Credit: New Vic Theatre/Ian Hodgson
12 comments
I really love the simplicity of this play. Stage shows like this that focus on the wit and acting skills of the cast more than anything else always appeal to me.
Agree, something simple is way better without too much distractions
I love these types of shows. Went to a 2 man play that was wonderful! They changed their costumes so many times with several different parts. I don’t know how they did it.
The actors are so talented and sometimes I am in awe when watching them
oh wow! I am shocked how affordable these tickets are! We pay four times this amount, but theaters are worth every penny.
Agree, that is one thing which I love about the New Vic, ticket prices here are so reasonable and they also have other offers too
This sounds like a brilliant balance of humour and heart. I can imagine how powerful that final dance must have been!
It certainly was, I had such a lovely evening watching the production
Sounds like a great show, and wonderful performance. I haven’t been to a show like this in a while, and I would enjoy seeing this in person.
I am sure you certainly would enjoy the show
This sounds like a really challenging performance for three people to do! I like these sort of plays, they always feel more intimate.
It certainly felt like that but the actors made it effortless and yes it was very intimate in the round theatre set up