“Love Actually meets Normal People“ might be the tagline but Make Me Feel confidently carves out its own lane – funny, feel-good, and fearlessly vulnerable.
At the core is Jamie (Joshua Aketse-Entsie) and Ruby (Dejuan Desiree), a couple preparing for their wedding. They’re the first in their friendship group to tie the knot, but while everything should feel celebratory, Jamie is quietly falling apart. This emotional contrast drives the heart of the story – a beautifully honest portrayal of modern love, male vulnerability, and the quiet loneliness that can live beneath surface-level joy.
The narrative unfolds through snapshots of their lives and those around them: spa trips, a stag do, group chats, and moments of crisis that sneak up quietly but land with weight. One of the most memorable scenes is a scarily accurate depiction of a chaotic hen party WhatsApp group. Cast members step into spotlights to read passive-aggressive messages and gossip, deserving of a standing ovation of its own.
The set, designed as a simple scaffolding structure shaped like a house, becomes a versatile space that shifts effortlessly from planes to homes to party venues with the help of lighting, music, and imagination. Actors move props and chairs in and out with fluidity, and the audience is invited to fill in the gaps – a testament to the clarity of the direction and storytelling.
Each member of the ensemble brings depth and authenticity to their character. Mags (Josie Dixey Watson), battling panic attacks and eventually attempting suicide, shows the tension between keeping up appearances and reaching breaking point. Mustafa (Zamir Mesiti), recently sacked and forced to live in a cramped bedsit, struggles with his pride and purpose. Other friends face their own challenges – control, identity, self-worth – all explored with empathy and humour.
Penned by Bush Writers’ Group alumnus Will Jackson and directed by Bush Associate Director Kate Greenall, Make Me Feel is performed by the Bush Young Company (ages 18–25), whose diverse ensemble brings a fresh, raw energy to the stage. As the final show of this cohort’s two-year tenure, the casting is spot-on, delivering impeccable comedic timing as the script strikes a fine balance with poignant moments throughout – like the powerful protest scene.
Yemi Yohannes stands out as grief-stricken daughter Freya on a speed awareness course, bringing both emotional intensity and sharp wit. Tabitha Ogilvie also shines in multiple incarnations as Viv, particularly as the humanist wedding officiant, delivering some of the show’s funniest lines, including the brilliantly absurd: “Love is not transactional. It’s cyclical. It grows. It biodegrades. It fertilises.”
Make Me Feel is a vibrant, contemporary love story – messy, real and full of heart –brought to life by a captivating cast that promises the future of theatre is in exceptional hands!
Need to know: Make Me Feel runs from 19 August – 23 August at Bush Theatre
