REVIEW: The Dating Game by Alan Booty at Jack Studio 4 – 5 September 2026

‘Warm and witty seniors romcom’ ★★★★

It’s the last chance saloon for Roger and Ruby. Both in the autumn of their lives, she’s sixty (early autumn) and he’s seventy (late autumn). They met on a dating site for seniors and hope to find love, companionship, maybe more. But how well can one person ever know another especially in the accelerated, potentially fleeting world of online dating? He has some old fashioned views and antiquated terminology; she’s swallowed several self-help books. Both have secrets, fears, insecurities, and complications. Will they hit the love jackpot or are they destined to travel life alone?

In this warm, witty romantic comedy, we are invested quickly. Roger, performed with depth and nuance by writer Alan Booty is expansive, garrulous and performative. Fond of quoting pop lyrics and Goethe (“soon, you too will rest”), it’s no surprise he used to be a teacher. Ruby works for an estate agent and has an ailing ‘difficult’ mother. Nesba Crenshaw’s performance is lighter and her character is less likeable. Quick to reprimand or smotheringly empathetic, she is passive aggressive and steers the action.

A crisp five act structure underscores this absorbing hour of theatre. Kicking off with the meet-cute on one of South London’s peaks—maybe Hilly Fields, with unromantic Lewisham and Ladywell in the distance—the relationship moves warily forward with numerous obstacles and challenges. Both their parents are elderly and close to death; both have chequered histories. Roger, effectively ‘jumped’ by Ruby, is out of practice in the bedroom department and emerges looking disoriented, like he’s been assaulted. Will love conquer all?

The fact that Roger and Ruby have a lifetime of experience doesn’t make dating any less awkward, complicated or difficult. As vulnerable as any millennial, both are loaded with baggage and as they tentatively progress, a secret threatens to blow the fragile structure apart. The choice to resist a Mills & Boons ending feels like the right one, mature as the approach, theme, and characters are. Part of this year’s SE Fest, which has something for everyone, this tale of love in later life is an oldie - and a goodie.

Pogo Theatre presents The Dating Game by Alan Booty at Jack Studio 4-5 September 2026

Part of SEFest

BOX OFFICE https://brockleyjack.co.uk/se-fest-26-line-up/

Cast

Alan Booty | Roger

Nesba Crenshaw | Ruby

Creative Team

Written and Directed by Alan Booty

Sub-edited by Harry Speirs