Twopenny Theatre

Does Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) want to be a “hit musical rom-com,” as it says on the marquee, or does it want to be a family drama?

In the “rom-com” court, tried-and-true plot points are there. There’s a meet-cute at NYC’s JFK airport, with jaded Brooklynite Robin (Dujonna Gift) getting slightly overwhelmed by the boundless enthusiasm of British lad Dougal (Sam Tutty), a guest at her sister’s wedding. There’s a “getting to know you” phase that ecompasses much of the first act, as the pair go to collect said sister’s wedding cake and – you guessed it – carry it back from Brooklyn to Manhattan. At the end of the night, they share a few drinks and (spoilers) end up sharing a duvet. So far, so good.

In the “family drama” court is…everything else. Although Robin and Dougal meet at a luggage carousel, the suitcases around them there linger as Soutra Gilmour’s effective set, not-so-subtly reflecting the emotional baggage each of them is carrying. Dougal’s afflictions are clearer at the start of the show – his absent father is the groom at the wedding (making Robin his step-aunt-to-be), and his boundless enthusiasm to be in New York betrays a bit of a shut-in’s naivete. Sings Dougal: “It’s the capital city / of the USA.” Robin: “It’s not.” Robin’s issues are slower to surface, but more comprehensive. She’s stuck in a dead-end job as a barista, has dropped out of contact with the grandmother who raised her, and though running endless errands for the off-stage bride-to-be, is for some strange reason not planning to attend her sister’s wedding.

You’ll note that there’s a hint of mystery in that last item, which is drawn into focus by a snap decision made by Robin and Dougal after they’ve completed their cake delivery duty. Unfortunately, the suspense it offers throughout the show’s second act dies with more of a whimper than a bang, concluded through a few lines in one of the show’s final numbers. Generally, the arcs for each character end up a little unresolved. This is partly intentional – a rejection of the standard rom-com’s “button up everything with a bow” mindset – but it’s also a byproduct of having too much to address in too little time.

The show’s first act, while introducing some of the personal history that resurfaces throughout the show, is largely content to lilt along in rom-com territory. Act II’s dramatic moments arrive relatively abruptly, and are allotted a mere 45 minutes to bring the show back to a satisfying ending. A more even split between these two phases of the musical – and a smoother transition between them – would go a long way towards making the story enjoyable.

Structurally, Two Strangers also sets itself up for feeling a bit rushed. Dougal and Robin have known each other for less than a day when they start telling each other some hard truths. It’s a technique that works to drive the plot forward, but it’s not quite fully earned. It feels as if each character has insight and intimacy with each other based on not just their shared experiences but the needs of the story.

Overall, the urge to produce something with more dramatic depth leaves Two Strangers fighting its genre. That’s a pity – when Two Strangers is in rom-com mode, it can be truly delightful. Tutty portrays Dougal with an unstudied charisma and gentle spirit that make him clear “boyfriend material”, and Gift does a delightful job in showing street-smart Robin softening to his golden retriever energy. Co-writers Jim Barne and Kit Buchan’s best songs are the duets capturing the couple’s banter: the aforementioned “New York,” a shared spoof of Christmastime love tunes, a public proclamation of affection at a ramen bar. Other (solo) numbers feel just a little more generic, or a little more contrived, like the Act I tune “What’ll It Be” – Robin’s typical greeting to customers, which turns into a reflection on her listless life.

Is this harsh? A little bit. These critiques come from a place of affection, however. Two Strangers has some lovely songs and great comedic set pieces – this is still a show worth seeing. The combination of Tutty and Gift alone is enough to warrant a trip to the Criterion Theatre. Just be prepared to eat a slice of cake that’s slightly underbaked.

Rating: 3.5/5

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