Lovesong by Abi Morgan at Unicorn Theatre
Four Play Two
By: Charles Giuliano - Aug 06, 2026
Lovesong
By Abi Morgan
Directed by David Auburn
Berkshire Theatre Group
The Unicorn Theatre
Larry Vaber Stage
July 22 to August 29 (extended)
Scenic designer, Andrew Woodward; Costumes, Amanda Roberge; Lighting, Daniel J. Koltowitz; Composer/ sound designer, Scott Killian, Dialect coach, Jennifer Scapetis
Cast: Karen Allen (Maggie), Rebecca Brooksher (Margaret), Shawn Fagan (William), David Garrison (Billy)
Lovesong by Abi Morgan has a challenging premise. It presents a loving couple in two stages with both on stage portraying aspects of their lives separated by decades. Without acknowledgement they are often in each others’ presence which creates challenges for trying to follow progressions. To what extent does the audience buy into seeing a single couple at different stages of life or four actors following parallel but different trajectories?
It begs the question of to what extent we evolve and become different over time and life experience or remain rooted in a defining persona. Can the leopard change its spots? Viewing the characters, to what extent has time changed them or are they altered but fundamentally the same?
The big if and game changer is how we adapt to the curveballs that life throws at us. In this case it’s the terminal illness, pain management, and estate planning that Maggie (Karen Allen) deals with in a masterful and heart-wrenching manner. It sets up a surprise ending that did not feel logical or well calibrated.
The two story house set by Alexander Woodward seemed shoehorned into the limited space of the small Unicorn Theatre. It was a big ask of the designer who includes a small yard and peach tree.
In a masterful manner director David Auburn has taken full advantage of the set to elaborately stage the movement of actors who seemingly defy Newtonian physics by occupying the same space at the same time. He uses closets and hallways to have characters appear and vanish, often with appropriate costume changes.
We first encounter the seventy-something Billy, effectively played by David Garrison, not just brushing his teeth but holding forth with a soliloquy on them. A virtual Dao of Teeth as it were and his moral obligation to preserve them as best he can. It seems that teeth remain intact long after bone disintegrates. They tell much about our lives and are invaluable to archaeologists and paleontologists.
Young William (Shawn Fagan) by voice and body type seems quite different physically as well as persona-wise from his elder self. He’s a troubled young dentist who relies on vodka to cope with adversity.
He and Margaret, a rock solid Rebecca Brooksher, have settled in a rural community to establish their lives and his practice. To get started he works under an established dentist.
But, as with other major decisions, as the man of the house he announces that he will start his own practice. He makes a similar unilateral decision to purchase the house that they cannot afford.
There are four dentists in the community although one is soon out of the picture. As the newbie he is just getting by. Add to that taking days off to be by himself and read, or drink. There is also the matter of his flirting with the au pair of neighbors. The question of his fidelity is never answered.
The needs of Margaret are straightforward. She longs to have a family but that never happened. The surrogate is a neighbor’s child who she dotes on. They settle on a cat who figures into their elder years. They need money and she gets a part time job at the library which he resists and ridicules.
She wants to be more than a bored housewife although Amanda Roberge dresses her like one. Away from home she is flattered by the attention of another man. Confronted about it she admits the temptation but claims that she did not relent. They appear to renew their vows to remain together.
All that marital strife is behind them as they end their time as a loving couple caring for each other. Preparing for the end she leaves notes in drawers as well as verbal instructions. She wants him to sell the house and travel. He reacts with an explosive diatribe of what he will not f....ing do. It's an emotional outburst in an otherwise civil discourse. With deft comic timing she listened then asked "Will you brush your teeth?" Of course he will, after all, he's a dentist for cripes sake.
Many elders in the audience readily bond with memories of youth and the realities of growing old together.