Jeromaia Detto: Giuseppe's Love Quest Review by Jaynie Ng

What is love? Most of the time, it’s not something we actively contemplate. It’s something we tend to experience emotionally, not logically. Turns out, when asked, we are pretty terrible at describing it beyond the word ‘warm’. In Giuseppe’s Love Quest, Jeromaia Detto turns this deceptively simple question into a chaotic exploration of romance.

In this one-man character comedy, audience participation is central as Detto brings us along Giuseppe’s journey. We are quized about familiar romantic experiences and feelings, with our myriad of responses and what could generously be considered ‘advice’, eventually culminating in Giuseppe’s first date. By asking us what intimate moments, like a hug or a kiss, feel like, we are not just spectators. We become collaborators and confidants to Giuseppe. Detto invites us to reflect and share our understanding of romance – not just within the confines of the show, but long after, as these seemingly straightforward questions linger.

A rare misstep comes when Giuseppe serenades us with a song. The reverberation on the microphone heavily obscured satirical lyrics, rendering them unintelligible. This caused us to miss punchlines and the resulting awkwardness is palpable. The number is then repeated for a second time, and only then, the lyrics start to make more sense. Detto’s charisma does its best to save the section. By then, the momentum was lost and I was eager to move on.

Despite this minor detraction, the production’s hilarious scenes move the narrative forward, keeping energy high. However, the real magic is in the moments in between scenes. Detto’s knack for improvisation turns transitions and audience tidbits into recurring jokes. His quick wit and playfully  physicality builds Giuseppe’s likability and keeps the show’s spirits high. Each time the familiar Paul Anka song ‘Put Your Head On My Shoulder’ is played, Detto’s exaggerated gestures adds another dimension to the fleeting running joke.

Different flavours of audience involvement allow both the boldest and most hesitant participants contribute to the action. From providing advice on wooing someone to playing Giuseppe’s fantasy son, Detto fosters a strong rapport with the audience, winning over even the most apprehensive attendee. Participation is rewarded as audience answers are incorporated into future material – for example, advice about good dancers being attractive lead to a recurring gag and funny parenting advice is repeated in opportune moments. His take on homophonic wordplay on audience names such as ‘Car-yours’ for ‘Carmine’ or ‘Gav-out’ for ‘Gavin’ is simple yet effective. Some of these asides are a little understated and take us a beat to pick up. When they land, the jokes heighten our engagement in his performance. However, on occasion, the audience questions did start add inertia to the performance.

Through its playful audience exchanges, joyful narrative and infectious energy, Giuseppe’s Love Quest brings us a warmth that can feel missing in the search for it. In Giuseppe’s eyes, it feels so uncomplicated and jubilant. The show’s real joy is not about finally finding love. Giuseppe’s Love Quest succeeds as a wonderful reminder of the joy, simplicity and hope that journey can be.

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Jaynie Ng attended Jeromaia Detto: Giuseppe’s Love Quest at Erskineville Town Hall on Tuesday 15 September.