EDINBURGH 2013 - BWW Reviews: HAPPY NEVER AFTER, Pleasance Courtyard, August 12 2013

A young couple fall in love and move in together to their first home. Hannah Rodger's new play HAPPY NEVER AFTER charts what happens when what follows isn't the fairy-tale ending they'd dreamed about.

Jen (Alice White) and Neil (Nick Blakeley) are planning their new life together right down to the perfect number of children (four, in case you were wondering), when a bombshell hits that will cause them to reassess everything. Director Luke Sheppard has the cast working well together as a couple, and there are some incredibly touching moments. A stand-out is Jen's birthday, with Neil's carefully planned surprises being trumped by Jen's own. Supporting characters are skilfully drawn by implication - at Neil's brother's wedding, we know exactly what his mother is like without ever needing to meet her.

Rodger's dialogue is at times sharp, witty and well observed, with moments of humour offering crucial respite from some of the more harrowing moments. As we follow the rollercoaster ride of their relationship this well-acted two-hander can feel intense and almost claustrophobic.

Gabriella Slade's quirky set plays nicely on the new home theme: all packing boxes and brown parcel paper. It's simple and effective and allows the real focus to remain on the couple in front of us.

Given the tough subject matter, this is never going to be a light play. Despite the humorous moments, it can leave you feeling drained. But all-in-all HAPPY NEVER AFTER is a brave play tackling a tricky subject well.

"HAPPY NEVER AFTER" runs at 1240 until August 26th (not 14th) at the Pleasance Courtyard.