Danny Gavigan as Man and Bligh Voth as Woman. Photo by Christopher Mueller.
If we all hate online dating so much, why do we consistently force ourselves through the humiliation ritual? Deep down, when all is said and done, we just want to be remembered as a person who was loved, not a person who was forgotten. Miriam Battye’s “Strategic Love Play” at Signature Theatre lays bare these fears that propel participation in the monotony of another table, with another drink, and another stranger. With sometimes eerily realistic, yet tremendously over the top portrayals of the insecurities and expectations that make modern dating torment for (most of) its victims, “Strategic Love Play” is an apt exposé.
…Voth and Gavigan conjure superb chemistry…hits all the right beats…
A Fringe First Award winner, “Strategic Love Play” was born when Miriam Battye’s (“Succession”) idyllic notion that finding love would be “easy and gorgeous” was burst by her lackluster experiences. Published in 2023, the play had a number of successful, sold-out runs in London followed by an Off-Broadway run in New York starring Michael Zegen (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) and Heléne Yorke (“The Other Two”). In its turn at Signature Theatre, Matthew Gardiner’s always virtuoso direction strips back any unnecessary frills to hone in on this hopeful tragedy.
Much like a true first date, “Strategic Love Play” is confined to a high top table at an upscale bar where two strangers who met online share a drink (or two if it’s going well). The play kicks off as Man (Danny Gavigan) and Woman (Bligh Voth) meet up at the bar to the tune of a painfully awkward first encounter failing to reach the status of conversation. In a snap judgment, Man decides he isn’t interested as conveyed through a “you’re great” let down. When Woman refuses to accept the disinterest, “Strategic Love Play’ dives in.
Battye’s nearly flawless pragmatic style creates a sense of déjà vu in the minds of the audience. As miscellaneous aspects of their personal lives come into play, Battye’s Man and Woman start to resemble someone we all know, or have even dated. Voth’s Woman suffers in the perceived uniqueness of her experiences with men’s falsified niceties. Gavigan’s Man is drained of his nice-guy act to the point of verity. Together, Voth and Gavigan conjure superb chemistry that thrives even in the most cumbersome moments.
Behind the too familiar conversations and judgments, the show’s minimalistic technical elements beam brighter than if they were bold. The prominently crimson set by Paige Hathaway communicates the dueling red-hued emotions dating unveils; love and anger. A singular fallen light beam among five perfectly lined up leaves additional meaning to the imagination. A moment of clarity magnified by Andrew Cissna’s lighting design and the familiarity of Kathleen Geldard’s costume design bounce off Battye’s accessible style. All tied together under Gardiner’s vision, these subtle aspects allow audiences to attach personal meaning to the story, even where perhaps unintended.
“Strategic Love Play” thrives in its frightening normalcy. To those that haven’t experienced modern dating, it’s despairing. To those formerly and currently locked in the cycle, it’s an eerie imitation. This production at Signature Theatre particularly hits all the right beats to achieve a cautiously optimistic haunting. “Strategic Love Play” is a piece that creates a nearly realistic daydream that quickly declines in the fashion of most modern romantic encounters. At the end of the day, we always just go back to swiping to make ourselves feel better.
Running Time: Approximately one hour an 10 minutes with no intermission.
Advisory: Contains adult language and themes.
“Strategic Love Play” runs through November 9, 2025 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206. Masks required at the October 26, 2 pm show. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (703) 820-9771, email tickets@sigtheatre.org, or go online.
