Blind Date @ Charring Cross Theatre

The premise behind this show is a brave yet slightly dangerous one. It is an improv piece but as every seasoned theatregoer knows, improv needs to be executed brilliantly in order for it to work. Unfortunately, though the concept for Blind Date is intriguing, the execution falls far below brilliant.

Rebecca Northan’s character, Mimi has been waiting 2 hours for a blind date who has clearly stood her up, so she chooses a man form the audience to be her date for the night. The show very much depends on the man she chooses. The first night I saw the show, she chose a 27 year old man who didn’t appear stage shy and was really up for the challenge of taking a leading role in this 90 minute piece. The second night I saw it, a 51 man who came across as smug and cocky was chosen. He seemed determined to take the show in his own direction.  
The dates are managed tastefully and volunteers are made to feel at ease with a ‘time-out’ line created allowing her ‘date’ breathing space if he starts to feel uncomfortable or needs coaching.

There are a few genuinely funny moments and the improvised police car shows how imagination can make even the most basic props fun. However, long, awkward pauses and the usual blunders associated with improv let the show down. Additionally it commenced 15 minutes later than the advertised time both nights I attended.

Nonetheless, the truly clever thing about this show is that every night is guaranteed to be a different experience so potentially audience members who enjoy it enough can return again and again.

Blind Date can been seen @ Charring Cross Theatre until mid July