The Trigger Warnings Lie in Plain Sight for This Harrowing Portrait of Pregnancy and Grief
Luke Norris's play 'Guess How Much I Love You?' is a searing portrayal of pregnancy in crisis, tackling the complexities of loss, grief, and relationships head-on. With its trigger warnings on full display – literally – it's clear that this production is not one to be taken lightly.
At its core, the play revolves around a thirtysomething couple who remain nameless throughout, just like their unborn child. Their union is built on a spark of contrariness, with her being clever and fierce, while he uses humor and poetry to soften her edges. The dialogue between them is electric, like a contact sport that ricochets off each other's intensity.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this couple is about to face unimaginable challenges in the form of their impending parenthood. The news is painful, and Terrible Choices must be made around the birth of their baby. Rosie Sheehy and Robert Aramayo deliver explosive performances, matching each other's intensity in different ways.
The play masterfully shifts between dark humor and devastating tenderness, never shying away from the harsh realities of grief. Norris confirms his talent as a playwright with this work, which is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
The staging is strikingly effective, with blackouts between scenes that create an immersive experience. The set design by Grace Smart changes at lightning speed, conjuring up different milieus in the dark – from the couple's bedroom to what appears to be a hospital room, all while Jessica Hung Han Yun's lighting weaves its magic.
Through the tears and venomous accusations hurled at each other during their fights, it becomes clear that this is a play about love enduring even in the face of unimaginable pain. With 100% heart but zero sentimentality, 'Guess How Much I Love You?' is an emotional tour de force that will leave you breathless.
For now, catch this production at the Royal Court theatre in London until February 21st – be prepared for a harrowing yet unforgettable ride.
Luke Norris's play 'Guess How Much I Love You?' is a searing portrayal of pregnancy in crisis, tackling the complexities of loss, grief, and relationships head-on. With its trigger warnings on full display – literally – it's clear that this production is not one to be taken lightly.
At its core, the play revolves around a thirtysomething couple who remain nameless throughout, just like their unborn child. Their union is built on a spark of contrariness, with her being clever and fierce, while he uses humor and poetry to soften her edges. The dialogue between them is electric, like a contact sport that ricochets off each other's intensity.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this couple is about to face unimaginable challenges in the form of their impending parenthood. The news is painful, and Terrible Choices must be made around the birth of their baby. Rosie Sheehy and Robert Aramayo deliver explosive performances, matching each other's intensity in different ways.
The play masterfully shifts between dark humor and devastating tenderness, never shying away from the harsh realities of grief. Norris confirms his talent as a playwright with this work, which is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
The staging is strikingly effective, with blackouts between scenes that create an immersive experience. The set design by Grace Smart changes at lightning speed, conjuring up different milieus in the dark – from the couple's bedroom to what appears to be a hospital room, all while Jessica Hung Han Yun's lighting weaves its magic.
Through the tears and venomous accusations hurled at each other during their fights, it becomes clear that this is a play about love enduring even in the face of unimaginable pain. With 100% heart but zero sentimentality, 'Guess How Much I Love You?' is an emotional tour de force that will leave you breathless.
For now, catch this production at the Royal Court theatre in London until February 21st – be prepared for a harrowing yet unforgettable ride.
IT'S LIKE LUKE NORRIS IS HOLDING A MIRROR UP TO OUR SOCIETY AND SHOWING US ALL THE DARK TRUTHS WE DON'T WANT TO FACE BUT NEED TO SEE ANYWAY. I MEAN, WHO KNEW GRIEF COULD BE SO... FUNNY?? THE ACTING IS ON POINT AND THE STAGING? FORGET ABOUT IT!!! 
IT'S LIKE A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE OF EMOTIONS AND I AM HERE FOR IT!!! I NEED TO SEE THIS PLAY ASAP, BUT LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART SO IF YOU'RE AS SENSITIVE AS ME, PROCEED WITH CAUTION... 
but at the same time it's also these gorgeous moments of love & vulnerability that made me wanna give it a million hugs 
don't even get me started on the staging set design lighting everything is just perfection 
u HAVE to see this play before it closes in london can't wait for my next rewatch 
The way he tackles pregnancy loss is so raw and honest, it's like you're right there with the couple feeling all their emotions. And can we talk about the trigger warnings on stage – genius move, Luke! 
The staging is insane too, I loved how the blackouts and set changes created this immersive atmosphere. But what really got me was how Norris doesn't shy away from the tough stuff, it's like he's having a conversation with you about grief and love. The performances were top-notch, Rosie Sheehy and Robert Aramayo killed it on stage 
It's not an easy watch, but if you're looking for a raw emotional ride, this is the one to see 
it's like we're finally having open conversations about what it means to carry a child, but at the same time, I feel like those discussions can still be super triggering for some folks 
. I loved that this play has trigger warnings literally displayed on set – it shows that the creators are thinking about accessibility and consent 
. But sometimes I wish we could have more nuanced explorations of grief and love without having to "hardship" or "dark humor" as default modes 
. Still, I'm hyped to see how this play tackles those heavy topics with 100% heart 
.