First Night review

Richard E. Grant's on enjoyably hammy form here as a slick City type who decides to up his cultural rep by staging a lavish open-air opera at his sprawling country pad.

Unfortunately for him, the group of fresh-faced young hopefuls he assembles all seem more interested in pairing off as swiftly as romcom convention will allow, and proceedings swiftly descend into sub-Richard Curtis territory with little of the wit.

It’s to director Chris Menaul’s credit that his lack of big-screen experience isn’t evident, but the same can’t be said for his cast who are, by and large, too stiff to charm.