Can true love really bring happiness? That’s the premise of Darlinghurst Theatre’s latest production Love Song. Following hot on the heels of their sell-out season of As Bees In Honey Drown, this looks set to be their next big hit.

Quite simply it’s the story of Bean, a sad, somewhat odd and depressed young man whose life changes for the better when he falls in love with Molly. She’s the ying for Bean’s yang and his life changing happiness is infectious.

Bean’s joy rubs off on his sister Joan and her husband Harry whose marriage is starting to come apart at the seams. Up until now her love and concern for her brother has proven burdensome. Now for the first time, things start to improve.

But can this happiness be sustained? And what happens if the love is taken away?

This production welcomes Di Smith back to the stage – a master at facial expressions, she manages to win laughs without uttering a single word. Her brilliant portrayal of power boss Joan is very familiar to many of us. Drayton Morley is in fine form as Harry her ill-suffering husband, but it’s Jonathan Gavin who has the best character to work with and he demonstrates such incredible range that it’s like two actors are playing the one part.

This is one of those plays that triumphs through the use of clever dialogue and sharp performances – the minimal set is little more than a concrete wall, a flat bench and an eerie light globe, but it’s enough.

Martin Kinnane has done an extraordinary job with the lighting, and the music is by community favourite Phil Scott – combined they lift and transform the entire mood of the play, seemingly effortlessly.

Love Song is a comedy, but it does have its poignant moments. Some scenes left the opening night audience shocked and stunned. The play is one for everybody but go and see it with somebody that you love.

Love Song plays at Darlinghurst Theatre until May 16.

Photos: Tom Evangelidis.