Drama Review: Amare

On Wednesday 5 February 2025, Chronicle.lu had the opportunity to attend the dress rehearsal of BGT English Theatre company’s now sold-out new play Amare, which is premiering from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 February at Lycée Michel Rodange, Luxembourg-Merl.

Inspired by her love of Greek mythology and literature, eighteen-year-old Hanne Siebens’ debut play reveals how different forms of love are intertwined in all our lives. Six types of love are subsequently explored, developed and woven into a sequence of sketches and monologues that keeps the audience engaged, right to the very end.

Ominous music opens the first scene, as hooded characters tell the story of Psyche and reveal Cupid, the God of love. Cupid is ever-present throughout the play, influencing lives and relationships, while introducing the audience to the six different forms of love, recognisable to us all. These loves are cleverly revealed, as relationships change, develop and alter over the course of the next 70 minutes or so.

Cupid, skilfully portrayed by Kim Birel, unveils four of these loves early on, when friends and family gather together. Storge, the unconditional, familiar love of family and friends, enjoying each other’s company, plays out on one part of the stage, while the practical love, Pragma, is also revealed. As the group gathers, the audience can almost feel the thunderbolt of Eros - the love of soulmates - when Jackie and Lena first set eyes on one another. Meanwhile, Cupid is working his magic, bringing  Ludos - that wonderful, glorious, honeymoon phase of an early relationship - to Amelia and James. Cupid gives a description of these loves, but keeps the audience in suspense as he confesses “there are more, have patience”.

As the play progresses, love moves seamlessly from scene to scene, with Cupid deciding which love is the focus each time. The audience is introduced to the selfless love, Agape, and told that “grief is just love wearing a heavy coat”. The audience is taken on a journey of discovery, wondering if all these loves will remain or will they morph into something else. Spectators are especially gripped wondering if the loves of Eros and Ludos will continue to wield the same influence over their chosen couples.

A sense of unease begins to creep in about midway through the play, as a darker, malevolent love stealthily begins to emerge. Cupid is, of course, right there, directing and meddling, as the tension reaches a crescendo. As the play draws to a close, Cupid begins to lose control of the emotions of those he is trying to influence. The friction on stage intensifies, leading to far-reaching consequences for the love god.

Great credit is due to all of the cast of thirteen, who put their heart and souls into this engaging and captivating performance. They skilfully bring an array of emotions to the stage, as the different types of love are explored and developed. Natacha Stevenin is wonderfully passionate in her role as Amelia. Josie Hatch, as Willow, effortlessly, but so effectively, stirs up many feelings in her tribute to her deceased grandfather. Motherly love is depicted by June Lowery’s character, Christine. The chemistry between Nina Ruggieri and Rewa Jain, in their respective roles of Jackie and Lena, brings the love of joined soulmates to life in front of us. 

What is yet more amazing about the play is that it was written and co-directed by final year International School of Luxembourg (ISL) student Hanne Siebens. The play is two years in the making and was brought to life through a series of workshops in summer 2024. Co-director Tony Kingston (co-founder of BGT) is well known for his commitment to promoting new and promising talent through the BGT. He is also a strong advocate of putting women centre stage, promoting work by women writers and producing plays which feature mainly or exclusively female actors. Hanne has credited Tony as being instrumental in the development of her now sold-out debut play, of which she can be very proud.

HOM