While the pandemic has decimated theatres and the theatre careers of many, it has also prompted new thinking about storytelling. With Love Down the Line, the innovative East Midlands company New Perspectives () offer… well… new perspectives. In the past, the company has produced serial stories told by WhatsApp and postcards and they have now turned to the telephone, to tell four tales in intimate, one on one performances that reduce if not eliminate the barrier between audience and actor.

Play 1
A young woman relates how disenchanted by her life, she booked a retreat and travelled north – lockdown, what lockdown? – in search of contentment and love. Despite a predictable storyline, Sophia Hatfield’s effervescent performance keeps you hanging on…

Play 2
In a very entertaining call, a disc jockey at Vibe FM gives you insights into COVID’s impact on relationships and the top causes of break-ups. As DJ Eddie Sparkles, Ollie Smith animates a potentially one-dimensional character and gets under the skin of the cheery voices we take so much for granted…

Review by Louis Mazzini

145 years since its first appearance, our love affair with the telephone continues to grow.

And at a time where we all need love and connection more than ever, New Perspectives has teamed up with award-winning rural theatre-maker Sophia Hatfield to offer a series of short love-themed plays to be performed live down the telephone over Valentine’s weekend to the person of your choice.

Book a time and you or your loved one will receive a five-minute play performed just for them by phone. The perfect Valentine’s gift for the special person in your life, a drama lover or anyone in need of a touch of romance.

Pick up the phone and let the drama unfold…

New Perspectives in association with Stute Theatre presents:
Love Down the Line
Bite-sized plays performed live down the phone over Valentine’s weekend
Created by Sophia Hatfield and Jack McNamara
Performed by Sophia Hatfield and Ollie Smith
Performed every 15 minutes 13 February 2pm – 9.45pm | 14 February 11am – 8.45pm

13 & 14 February (56 performances)
13 February, every quarter-hour from 2pm – 9.45pm | 14 February, every quarter-hour from 11am – 8.45pm
Performed by Sophia Hatfield on the hour and half-hour, performed by Ollie Smith at quarter past and a quarter to
£5 | https://www.newperspectives.co.uk/