Review: Lovesong

**Picture:** The cast of *Lovesong*, *Image credit: Creative Futures Photography*

We are all so fortunate to have PIP Theatre on our Brisbane doorstep, offering a fantastic venue for artistic collaborations with so many local performers and creatives. There is still time to catch the latest Allentertainment co-production at PIP Theatre. Following their success with the December 2025 We Were Promised Honey, Director Harrison Allen has again chosen well. Inspired by T. S. Eliot’s The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, Abi Morgan’s Lovesong is a clever piece of writing that encourages audiences to reflect on what happens between moments of youthful optimism and final parting.

Lovesong is the story of one couple, where the experiences of the newly married Margaret (Anna-Rose van der Wiel) and William (Connor Costin) become the memories of the mature Maggie (Nicky Whichelow) and Billy (John Stibbard). Their past and present selves are intertwined and layered across this 80-minute show, uncovering the highs and lows of a 40-year relationship as the couples dance and move within and around the space and each other. Which means it is a great decision to involve Indiah Morris (Movement Choreography) to ensure that the kitchen table intimacy, and dancing in and around the home, are cleverly mapped. Occasional moments did feel a little 'over-choreographed,’ but I am sure that the performers will relax into their moves and emotions during the run.

I should imagine that casting Lovesong is no easy task. Each of the four actors work well together, establishing a real sense of the different stages of love and loss experienced by the couple. Costin and van der Wiel navigate the disappointments they face, and are impressive in conveying the ways in which the individuals connect, move apart, and then come back together. Whichelow and Stibbard make a believable older couple, facing the frustrations and sorrows of later life with stoicism and moments of great humour. However, it is Nicky Whichelow who gives the standout performance of the evening, as Whichelow’s Maggie is at times careworn and yet optimistic, loving, frustrated, funny, and sad.

The PIP Main Theatre is a highly flexible space, and I am particularly impressed by Harrison Allen’s excellent Lovesong scenic/set design and use of video projections, and by Noah Milne’s sensitive lighting design. Harrison Allen’s work to ensure the high quality of the Lovesong projection and set really enhances the reminders about the ways in which places and spaces can ‘recall’ moments and memories—from the making and remaking of the matrimonial bed, through to remembering the moments of touch of cave walls (the latter also thanks to the fabulous cave scene projection content, hand designed by Lachlan Payne and Beth Andrews). Which means that I recommend taking your seats as soon as the theatre doors open, to enjoy every moment of Hannah Page and Mettea Page’s co-compositions, which are performed at each show by Mettea Page (Pianist), and to appreciate the excellent design. Sitting looking at the impressive set—complete with a sizeable flowering tree, kitchen/diner and bedroom—I became aware of the flowing murmuration of starlings, dancing on the walls of the theatre. And it was wonderful to see the different ways in which the walls of the set were transformed with several impressive projections during the show—later including the glorious ‘cave art’ images.

I gather starlings are often used as metaphors for creative resilience, collective harmony and the human desire for freedom. Lovesong touches on all of these themes and more. Congratulations and thanks to the Allentertainment team for bringing Lovesong to a Brisbane audience. The production wasn’t the tearjerker I anticipated, but audience reactions always draw on individual experiences and connections with a piece. I am happy to recommend this show, as one that reminds us of the twists and turns of life and relationships—and how we all need to work out how best to meet our personal challenges, including how (in the words of the T. S. Elliott poem) ‘To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways?’

Catherine Lawrence

*Image Credit: Creative Futures Photography*

Audience information: Lovesong, PIP Theatre (Level 2), 20 Park Road, Milton QLD 4064 (29 July-8 August 2026, 7:30pm). Adult Themes, with coarse language, sexual references, themes of death and grief, depictions of self-harm or suicide, mention of addiction and substance abuse, and references to infertility—16+ suggested. 80 minutes (no interval). Tickets $35-45, plus $3.30 booking fee.

Additional credits: Megan Dale (Stage Manager).

Produced by Allentertainment, as a co-production with PIP Theatre.

The reviewer attended the 30 July 2026, 7:30pm opening night.

Geoff Lawrence