LoveStuck at Stratford East Review

By Samuel

If your heart’s ever raced before a first date or you’ve second guessed a text for three hours straight, or you have been single for longer than you can remember endlessly juggling the dating apps, Love Struck at Theatre Royal Stratford East might just be the musical for you.

In this wildly charming musical comedy, we’re introduced to Lucy and Peter, whose first date takes a rather unconventional turn (you may remember the story in the media) as Lucy gets wedged halfway through a bathroom window. It’s the kind of physical metaphor for modern dating that somehow feels both ridiculous and painfully accurate. But that’s exactly the brilliance of this show: it takes the awkwardness of real life and spins it into gold or at least glitter-drenched musical theatre.

Ambra Caserotti’s Lucy is magnetic. She’s the kind of protagonist you root for from the first breath, a bundle of ambition, anxiety, and unfiltered humour. Shane O’Riordan plays Peter with a disarming mix of tenderness and comedic timing, making their odd-couple chemistry completely believable. Their love story unfolds not in grand gestures, but in stumbles, silences, and second chances, exactly how most of us experience it. Bridgette Amofah is hilariously sassy as Cassandra/Miseraie. Part Greek chorus, part internet troll, part inner saboteur. She brings a fierce, genre-bending energy to the stage, flipping from powerhouse vocals to witty commentary without missing a beat. Marcus Ayton is great as Lucy’s best friend, giving energy and vocals for days. The multi rolling ensemble are so tight and make the production slick. It’s perfectly cast and each person has their own moments to shine with this chaotic plot.

The music by Bryn Christopher and Martin Batchelar is punchy and perfect for the piece, think early-2000s pop crossed with confessional ballads, it could easily top a breakup playlist. And under Jamie Morton’s direction the entire production feels like your favourite romantic comedy, but with sharper edges and better tunes.

Chi-San Howard’s choreography is snappy and playful, using the tight set brilliantly. One particular dance sequence set entirely in a virtual dating app interface is both hilarious and depressingly real.

Ultimately, Love Struck isn’t just about finding someone, it’s about finding yourself when your worst fears, friends’ unsolicited advice, and society’s expectations all want a say in the matter.

Love Struck is a funny, fearless, and ferociously modern musical that understands the weird, wired way we fall in love today. Stratford East has a hit on its hands—don’t be surprised if it starts trending IRL and online.