A heartwarming love affair conducted through letters
Can you fall deeply in love with someone when you haven’t met them in real life? A seemingly modern dilemma. The two protagonists of Dear Jack, Dear Louise, however, meet and interact not through Instagram message, but through letters. As World War II rages, with the background whine of air raid sirens, Jack (Preston Nyman) and Louise (Eva Feiler) correspond back and forth and, in the process, fall in love. Directed by Simon Reade and written by Ken Ludwig, the play is inspired by the story of Ludwig’s parents, and his care and tenderness for their story manifests within the charm and intricacy of the writing.
The set is beautiful – simple but effective, a canopy of camouflage netting from which dangle letters. The characters voice the letters without ever looking at one another, starting with Jack’s stiff and awkward opening gambit to Louise. He sits writing the letter from where he is stationed in Oregon, as a military doctor and US Army Captain. Complete opposites in many ways, she is an actress and dancer pursuing her dreams in New York. Feiler bounds around the stage with infectious enthusiasm, articulating her joys and woes to Jack, feeling each emotion with utter abandon. It’s hard not to fall in love with her eagerness for life – and Jack does. Slowly he unfolds, responding to her curiosity first with bashfulness before its radiance is rewarded with vulnerability and openness. Nyman undertakes this journey with nuance and beautifully pitched humour, honouring the gentle comedy of the script.
Throughout the war they are separated, writing letters that range from recounting everyday mundanities, to the excitement of getting an audition, to the shattering and tragic events of war. The play is a heartwarming presentation of love against the background of the devastating extremities of the time, and the day-to-day bravery it takes to maintain a spirit of courage and hope. However, it feels lacking direction at times, with a plot that tends to meander rather than propel forward.
This lack of dramatic tension is exacerbated by the conceit of voicing the letters. At the beginning of the play, the letter voicing feels unexpected and is carried along by the skill of the actors. However, as the play progresses, the concept feels strained, with the lack of physical and face-to-face interaction becoming increasingly unsatisfying. Nonetheless, the excellent casting and the witty and evocative script make this an uplifting experience that portrays the beauty of slowly, quietly, unexpectedly, falling in love.
The play is at the Arcola Theatre until the 2nd May. Link to tickets here: https://www.arcolatheatre.com/event/dear-jack-dear-louise/