Love Quirks - The Other Palace Studio

Love Quirks follows four roommates with very different troubles as they navigate the emotional rollercoaster that is early adulthood.

Lili (Ayesha Patel) is a psychology master’s student—intelligent and independent, yet caught in the impossible grip of unrequited love. Stephanie (Clodagh Greene) is a young divorcée, yearning to move beyond the shadows of a broken marriage. Chris (Tom Newland), an American jock newly arrived in London with his fiancée, soon discovers that life rarely unfolds as planned. And Ryan (Lewis Bear Brown), a self-confessed serial monogamist, finds himself unable to sustain any relationship beyond the three-month mark.

Credit: Anna Clare Photography

Together, this ensemble delivered consistently strong performances. However, Newland’s layered portrayal of Chris and Greene’s vocal command stood out in particular. Both actors seized the opportunities their roles offered, showcasing their strengths with a natural ease that made their performances appear effortless.

In addition to the strong cast, the show’s set design (Bob Sterrett) deserves recognition. Despite the limited space, the staging was both practical and visually engaging. A vibrant palette added colour throughout, while a long bench along the far side cleverly suggested a couch, giving the impression of an apartment interior. Complemented by lighting (Oliver McNally) that evoked the warm, nostalgic feel of a 90s sitcom, the overall effect balanced functionality with a distinct sense of place.

With so many overlaps in storylines, the main challenge for Love Quirks was to remain engaging without becoming confusing. For the most part, it succeeded, but there were moments in the script where the pacing stalled and progress was halted by unnecessary details.

The show features a collection of moving songs (Seth Bisen-Hersh), though a few felt superfluous. In certain heartfelt moments, adding a song felt not only appropriate but essential. However, other scenes dragged, with the music doing little to propel the story forward. More broadly, the pacing sometimes faltered, with storylines that began with promise rushing to a climax within only a few minutes.

Credit: Anna Clare Photography

While the lyrics were often poignant, the vocal arrangements didn’t always allow them space to shine. Many songs launched straight into full power rather than building toward a climax, which reduced their impact. This effect was compounded by sound imbalances, with the piano occasionally overpowering the voices instead of blending in harmony. These are subtle details, but refining them could make all the difference in building the tension the story deserves.

Ultimately, Love Quirks shows real promise and benefits from a talented cast and a strong visual design. Yet for the production to reach its full potential, it will need significant rewrites to tighten the pacing, refine its musical structure, and sharpen its focus. With those adjustments, the show could transform into something truly memorable, a journey this reviewer is particularly looking forward to following.

Production Value: 40%

Value for Money: 50%

Personal Enjoyment: 55%

Overall Score: 48% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: The Other Palace Studio, London

Run Time: 2h - including a 20-minute interval

Ticket prices starting from £22.50 can be found on the show's official website. Click the link here to book online.