Touch - Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Amy Morgan - Photo: Helen Maybanks

Reasons To See: Touch

First Published 14 July 2017, Last Updated 14 July 2017

Photos by Helen Maybanks

Described by its creative team as a “love letter to single women”, Touch is a triumphant and unflinching play about modern life from the creators of the Olivier-nominated show Fleabag. Written and directed by Vicky Jones, Touch pulls no punches, simultaneously celebrating and critiquing life in the city.

It’s really funny

This probably should go without saying given the insanely talented team behind this play, but Touch is one of the funniest plays you’ll see this year (worth watching for the opening scene alone). With laugh after laugh, often when you’re least expecting it, Touch finds humour in even the most mundane aspects of 21st century life.

It’s a painfully accurate portrayal of modern life

There seems no doubt that life is more complicated and messier than ever before and Touch is a razor-sharp exploration of this. It’s easier to contact people than ever before but we seem more emotionally distant, struggling to make sense of what a “real” connection. Touch also tackles the expectations we place on young people, particularly women, constantly asking ourselves and others “What are you looking for?” Touch suggests that “I don’t know” is probably the most common and often the best response.

A love letter, of sorts, to life in the city

Anyone who has chosen to live in the city knows that it’s the best and worst place to be. It’s a place with the most opportunities but is also immensely frustrating. Touch lays bare the realities of city life, the freedom, the financial pressures and the transient relationships.

A superlative cast

Amy Morgan heads up the cast which also includes Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Matthew Aubrey, Edward Bluemel, James Clyde and James Marlowe. While we get to know Dee, played by Amy, the best, every actor is constantly revealing new sides, each moment of character development well observed and deftly portrayed.

For more information and performances, visit the Soho Theatre website.

All photos by Helen Maybanks

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