REVIEW | Candy, Park Theatre

★ ★ ★

Reviewer - Bronagh

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

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For three weeks the Park Theatre’s smaller theatre is transformed into what can only be described as a working men’s club. Copper strands shimmering away and a cabaret style set up give us the complete club vibe, and we are ready to meet Will and listen to how he has fallen in love… with his best friend in drag.

Candy is a one man show, performed by Michael Waller. There is no denying that he is talented and engaging, with twinkling eyes and a magnetic presence. Will speaks to individual audience members without the dreaded awkwardness that can come with audience participation, which brings some intimacy to the show. He jumps between characters seamlessly and overall gives a performance that I can’t criticise at all.

The story just didn’t do it for me, unfortunately. Will, our protagonist, falls for his childhood friend’s drag persona – Candy – and is plunged into despair over whether to tell his friend about his feelings for Candy. This is stretched out for 70 minutes and starts to feel like a struggle when it could have been so much more. Candy promises to explore sexuality in a world consumed by toxic masculinity – where was this? Will’s friend may have cracked a few jokes, but otherwise, this was not explored in a way that could have been extremely thought provoking.

The exploration of toxic masculinity may have fallen short for me, but I did like how cleverly and explicitly fragile masculinity and loneliness were explored. Will is a likeable, Northern lad, seemingly comfortable with his sexuality and identity before he meets Candy. He’s in a dead end job, getting drunk on weekends and navigating life. It is shattering to see how much he agonises over his feelings for Candy, and how he isolates himself. It is well known that men are less likely to talk about their feelings, and if anything, Candy is a good reminder that you shouldn’t bottle feelings up.

It is difficult to criticise smaller productions, especially when they have been in the works for five years as Candy has been. It cannot be denied that Candy is entertaining, and Waller does a brilliant job as Will. I just wanted more. Candy could be great, even brilliant, we just need a tighter script and deep dive into themes to fully showcase the talent behind the show.

At Park Theatre until 09 September.