New York

After work, it was a bit of a rush to the beautiful Criterion Theatre at Piccadilly Circus. The performance of 'Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)' that we'd booked started at 7pm. Our train connections were great, so we had plenty of time to grab dinner from Tesco. I was surprised to find a salad bar but delighted that I could boost my 'plant count' so early in the week.

We took our seats and discovered that we were the only people in our row for the first part of the show. Then, two others came along and started scribbling notes throughout. I suspect they were from the production team. I wish they'd chosen another raw because the fidgeting was distracting.

The set revolves and is built of two towers of suitcases, which are in view when you first take a seat. At first, they represent a moment at the airport where the characters meet, but they turn into many other locations. It's very clever.

The musical is the story of Dougal, who has just arrived from England to attend his Dad's wedding. Dad (who he has never met, and we don't see) is marrying Robin's sister (she has been sent to meet him at the airport). They're thrown together for 36 hours in New York, a city Dougal has dreamed of and Robin is jaded by. It's a two-hander, and both cast members are on stage together for most of the show. Sam Tutty, of Dear Evan Hansen fame, performed Dougal. Tilly La Belle Yengo was the alternative Robin. Both were excellent. I felt the Dougal character should have had more 'oomph', but the rest of the world disagrees.

There's a cake, a night in New York and the story of two people with big dreams. I enjoyed it.