'Dogfight' Southwark Playhouse ****

An Off-Broadway feat has now ventured across the Atlantic Ocean to Southwark’s fringe theatre, the Southwark Playhouse with Peter Duchan’s musical, ‘Dogfight’, and one found the performance exuded impressiveness and enjoyment. ‘Dogfight’ has been dramatically adapted from Rob Comfort’s 1991 film, which expresses a tale of a young American marine, Eddie, and along with his two best friends Boland and Bernstein, who call themselves as “The Three Bees”, who have been training strictly, in the hope that they will be deployed to fight in the Vietnam War. To celebrate their last days of leisurely freedom, they endeavour to discover which single woman they’d like to invite to the party, and see who will triumph as the winner of the dogfight, which is not a very pleasant competition whatsoever. Casually, Eddie, whilst sitting in a diner sets his sights on the inexperienced, Rose, who appears to have never been asked out on a date, and sadly not been kissed by a boy before. Moreover, she's hardly drank any alcohol or partied before, and not had the opportunity to be romantically involved by someone. With this she quickly agrees to be Eddie’s date for the night, and within moments an unusual affection between the two becomes outward. As well as, the musical conveys the strength of friendship and how the differences of Eddie, who’s a particular pleasant boy is compared to his repulsive friends, which somewhat makes Eddie's affections to charm Rose’s affections slightly fraught. However, Eddie acts the gentleman around Rose when on their second date, at an expensive restaurant; he spends all his remaining money so that Rose can have an enjoyable time. It's a tender love story that introduces us to two vastly diverse people, especially the bedroom scene where Rose plucks up the courage to welcome him into her bed as a way of cementing their quirky relationship. Duchan’s narrative is entertaining and emotive, and Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s music and lyrics are blissfully touching; such as “Some Kinda Time”, “Dogfight”, “Before It’s Over” and “Come Back”. The performances by the company of ‘Dogfight’ were delivered with tenacity and ease. Jamie Muscato is transcendent as the slightly scared and genuine marine, Eddie. One found the tender side of Eddie’s character was effortlessly portrayed. Laura Jane Matthewson’s professional debut is vivid as the adolescent, Rose. She was enormously brave to strip off into the night attire, and her aggressive nature was intriguing too. Helen chucks Cellen Chugg Jones and Nicholas Corre are amazing as Eddie’s two best friends, Boland and Bernstein, in particular when the two of them get tattoos to bind their strong friendship. Matt Ryan’s direction is wondrous as he is captured the heartfelt truth of obtaining love in improbable situations, and a portrayal of powerful friendships is encapsulating. Lee Newby’s set and costume designs are simplistic but lovingly engaging as it has been constructed under a slightly whittled down version of San Francisco’s landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge. Lucie Pankhurst's choreography is epic and has been achieved of the uppermost of quality through vivid and eclectic dancing, such as the “Hey Good Lookin” sequence. Overall, one found the experience of ‘Dogfight’ to be beautifully presented. A definite ticket purchase for you before the production closes.