A harrowing and poignant portrayal of pregnancy and grief takes center stage in Luke Norris's play "Guess How Much I Love You?", currently running at the Royal Court in London. The unflinching drama follows a thirtysomething couple whose relationship is put to the ultimate test as they navigate the devastating news that their unborn baby will not survive.
The play is notable for its searing intensity, with both Robert Aramayo and Rosie Sheehy delivering explosive performances that match each other's emotional depth. The dialogue between them is a contact sport of wit and vulnerability, hurtling towards moments of unspeakable cruelty before yielding to an unshakeable love.
Norris's masterful writing handles the darkest subject matter with breathtaking candor, refusing to shy away from the most primal fears and desires that accompany such a momentous loss. The play's pacing is expertly calibrated, veering seamlessly between savage humor and devastating tenderness.
Under Jeremy Herrin's direction, the production is strikingly staged, utilizing blackouts and dazzling lighting by Jessica Hung Han Yun to transform sets with dizzying speed. Smart set design conjures up an array of spaces – bedroom, nursery, hospital room – each one a poignant reminder of the couple's journey towards this singular moment.
A tour de force of emotional depth, "Guess How Much I Love You?" is a gut-wrenchingly honest portrayal of love and loss that will leave audiences utterly moved.
The play is notable for its searing intensity, with both Robert Aramayo and Rosie Sheehy delivering explosive performances that match each other's emotional depth. The dialogue between them is a contact sport of wit and vulnerability, hurtling towards moments of unspeakable cruelty before yielding to an unshakeable love.
Norris's masterful writing handles the darkest subject matter with breathtaking candor, refusing to shy away from the most primal fears and desires that accompany such a momentous loss. The play's pacing is expertly calibrated, veering seamlessly between savage humor and devastating tenderness.
Under Jeremy Herrin's direction, the production is strikingly staged, utilizing blackouts and dazzling lighting by Jessica Hung Han Yun to transform sets with dizzying speed. Smart set design conjures up an array of spaces – bedroom, nursery, hospital room – each one a poignant reminder of the couple's journey towards this singular moment.
A tour de force of emotional depth, "Guess How Much I Love You?" is a gut-wrenchingly honest portrayal of love and loss that will leave audiences utterly moved.
and I'm still trying to process the emotions. It's like, you're sitting there thinking 'okay, it's a sad story' but then BAM! The actors just blow you away with their raw energy 
. And the way they tackle the dialogue? Forget about it... it's like a rollercoaster of feelings 
. I was on the edge of my seat when they were dealing with that news 
and by the end, I was sobbing (I'm not even kidding) 
. It's clear why this play is getting so much attention - it's raw, honest, and just plain beautiful 
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This play sounds like it's gonna be a total tear-jerker! The fact that the writers are tackling such a heavy topic head-on without shying away from the tough stuff really shows their confidence in the story. I'm curious to see how they balance out the laughs and the tears - I've heard "savage humor" is a good thing when it's done right 
. The use of lighting and sets sounds like it'll add an extra layer of depth to the performances... can't wait to hear more about it! 
But what really got me thinking is how this play might be helping people process their own emotions about loss, whether it's a personal experience or just life in general 
The fact that Luke Norris's play can tackle such a heavy subject matter like pregnancy loss with sensitivity & raw emotion is truly impressive 
. It shows the depth of human experience that art can capture, where we're not just entertained but genuinely moved to the core 
!
. A friend who saw a preview said the set design was genius, I love how they used blackouts and lighting to change up the space... anyway, I'm hyped to hear more about this play 
The staging is insane too, blackouts & lighting are mind-blowing! 
Total tour de force - not sure if I can process everything after watching it 
and it was SO intense! The way Luke Norris writes about pregnancy, grief & relationships is honestly brutal but also beautiful 
. If you're looking for a play that'll break your heart but make you feel seen, this might be the one for you 
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i'm definitely going to be thinking about this one for a while after the show
i mean, talk about a bittersweet setup... but seriously, this play sounds SO heart-wrenching i need tissues just thinking about it 
the way they portrayed the pain and vulnerability of the couple was so raw and real, I felt like I was right there with them in the bedroom, hospital room, and nursery. The dialogue was spot on, it made me feel all the emotions and then some 
. seriously though, the acting sounds super impressive, especially with the dialogue being like a contact sport of emotions 
. i'm not gonna lie, i need to see it for myself, but 90 minutes of crying in the theater just isn't my vibe 
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but what I loved most was how the play doesn't shy away from the darker stuff, it's not some watered down 'poignant' drama, it's unflinchingly honest 
and that set design tho?! 
it's like they're literally stepping into the characters' world 
10/10 would recommend to anyone who wants to feel all the feels