Of all the reactions a wife anticipates from her husband about her imminent death, boredom is perhaps the most surprising. Yet, upon being diagnosed with polyarteritis, Lydia (Nicole Palka) poses the question, “Is there any surer way of boring our nearest and dearest than by getting ourselves a long slow terminal illness?” as the reasoning behind not disclosing her critical condition to her husband of 28 years, Sebastian (Samuel Gosmore).

During the first half of the play, the dynamic between the couple casts doubt on the sincerity of the play’s title, In Praise of Love, as the love in question seems almost one–sided. Lydia, in her headstrong and spirited ways, is solicitous over Sebastian— she stresses herself over matters as minute as turning on the heating in his study, to those as poignant as finding him a woman to take care of him in the event of her death. On the other hand, Sebastian, a Marxist star literary critic and novelist is boorish towards his wife  — condescending her for reading a children’s book or telling her that she’s boring their friend Mark (Grace Yu) senseless with her “refugee story.” The titular love, then, appears to either refer to her sacrificial endeavour in sparing Sebastian from the “boredom” of having a dying wife and making sure he’s taken care of, or to the adoration that Mark has been harbouring for Lydia for two decades. 

Yet as the play unfolds, those conventional expressions of love slowly make way for subtle, tender, and dutiful acts that are not necessarily romantically charged. Sebastian has been concealing his knowledge of Lydia’s condition and his numerous, arduous attempts to find possible treatment; Mark shows extraordinary commitment to his friendship with both Sebastian and Lydia through his choice near the end of the play; their son Joey (Ali Khan) and Sebastian reconcile over a game of chess. These are all expressions of the love that endures despite years of marital frustration, unfulfilled passion and family conflicts. Heartfelt without being maudlin, In Praise of Love accomplishes the task that its title establishes.

For a play that tackles heavy subjects such as death, refugee trauma, and the post-war generation’s jadedness, In Praise of Love still brims with moments of levity and irony as the characters confront their dilemma in stride. The clash of personalities between Lydia’s hot-headed temperament and trauma-hardened humour, Sebastian’s caustic wits, and Mark’s American earnestness — brought to life by the actors’ lively performances — make for an arresting watch. 

In Praise of Love begins as a duel of egos and ends as an elegy for unspoken devotion. It’s a play that proves love can wear many disguises — boredom, irritation, even mockery — and still remain unmistakably love.

[In Praise of Love, staged by 2046 Productions, is running at the Burton Taylor Studio, 28th October-1st November 2025]