Simon Ward reviews Love’s A Beach at the Soho Theatre

The term ‘reality television’ has always been an oxymoron – by definition what we see on television is a construction, designed to fit on screen and edited to attract viewers. This is even more pertinent when it comes to reality dating shows – when all the messiness of real people and real emotions are involved, how can you make a watchable TV show? As is apparent from the juggernaut-like success of such shows, the answer is that the right amount of manipulation by producers and editors will make compelling viewing. And, indeed, the active connivance of contestants peddling their own agendas and building followings for the their subsequent careers will only add to the drama.

Under the direction of Phoebe Gibby, Will Johnston and Katie Sayers’s really funny, razor-sharp satire thrusts us straight into the aftermath of just such a TV show. Cyrus (James Akka) and Ben (Iain Ferrier) have been famous for a few months now – although their Insta follower numbers are healthy, they are not stratospheric, and it’s doubtful whether the calibre of the gigs they are being offered (adult nappies, anyone?) will do much to help.

Obviously, getting any kind of normal job is out of the question, so, when the offer of a massive gig in Dubai suddenly lands, offering serious money in return for hanging out in 7-star luxury, what’s not to like? At least, that’s what Cyrus thinks. Ben, on the other hand, is more concerned about the real-world homophobia of the UAE regime – what if a local follower was encouraged by one of their feeds to try to hold hands with his boyfriend and had to face the catastrophic consequences?

In some ways, this is the story of a couple finding that their interests and values are starting to diverge – while Cyrus is being tempted by the dubious pleasures of Dubai, Ben is being seduced by his new friend Chris (Packham, of course) and the chance of a presenting spot on Springwatch. Their mutual incomprehension is hilarious. It seems all too convenient when fellow Love Island couple Danny and Mia split up. Mia and Cyrus can now go to Dubai ‘just as friends’, and there’s surely no problem if Ben arranges to meets up with Danny for a beer because he is lonely without Cyrus.

Like all the best sixty minute shows this leaves you wanting more from the characters. James Akka and Iain Ferrier as Cyrus and Ben are utterly convincing as a couple and their contrasting personalities blend brilliantly – Ferrier’s believable down-to-earth Ben is a perfect foil for Akka’s deliciously camp and petulant Cyrus. And the fragility of their world, entirely dependent on the whims of agents and incredibly fickle social media followers makes them all the more vulnerable. How do they even know what their real feelings are any more?

Love’s A Beach played as part of the Soho Rising Festival at Soho Upstairs, the Soho Theatre in Dean Street, London