When dating without a licence is illegal, what happens to those who commit an offence and lose their licence? In Crash Course, the audience is given a delightfully funny imagination of what a rehabilitation for heartbreakers would look like. Following Charlie, an emotionally guarded heartbreaker who is abducted from a date that turns out to be a sting operation, and Lou — who, until Charlie, had been making little progress since handing herself in. Under the purview of the Intimacy Coordinator (Elodie Bain) and Insurance Agent (Elliott Reed) they navigate absurd and entertaining training to avoid causing a ‘crash’ in a romantic relationship.
They navigate a range of interpersonal skills development modules, and the audience learns more about the characters as they learn more about each other and grow closer – learning to overcome bitterness as well as feel comfortable with being uncomfortable. The concept driving this piece is unique and well explored, the production is engaging throughout, and it is full of insightful perspectives and rife with wit. The sheer amount of clever puns alone is noteworthy.
Performances from both Henry Farmer and Sage Norwood make it easy to emotionally connect with their characters and become invested in how they will choose to use the restricted licences they work towards together. The impressive use of projection design effectively elevates the production.
The use of ‘headlights’ was a creative decision that made for an interesting and dynamic scene, however, was not executed in the most well-considered manner. Particularly for audience members near the front, the angles at which the (rather bright) head lamps were strapped on resulted in repeatedly having them flashed directly into our eyes — an experience that was unfortunately disorientating and head-ache inducing. But this could be easily remedied (alongside the few other technical hiccups), to smoothen out a show that was overall rather fantastic.
Lila Ahnger’s original play Crash Course is inspired, entertaining, and impressively performed.
Crash Course is running until 22 August at Thistle Theatre at Greenside @ Riddles Court (Venue 16). Buy tickets here.
Image by Annie Schofield, provided to The Student as press material.
