Review: Purana Productions' STRATEGIC LOVE PLAY at Teatro Dallas removes the screen from internet dating

Strategic Love Play

By Miriam Battye

Directed by Dhruv Ravi

Produced by Teatro Dallas

as part of International Theatre Festival

Audience Rating: MA for language

Running Time: 90 minutes with no intermission

Accessible Seating: Available

Hearing Devices: Not Available

Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available, but appropriate for sensory friendly patrons

ASL Showing: Not Available

Sound Level: Difficult to hear

Audio/Visuals to Prepare For: Use of fog, strong language, drinking on stage

Reviewed by Natalie Shaw

Dating. Starting a new relationship. Vulnerability in its highest form. Might be exciting. Might be nauseating. Might be both, to you, depending on where you're at in life. Honestly, I wouldn't even know how to navigate it in today's dating market, and I'm so grateful that I don't have to. Tender, or whatever it is, sounds like the dumpster fire version of asking for someone's phone number. I'm old enough to remember life before dating apps. There was no "swipe left or right," just a bold face lie if we weren't interested. ("Sorry, I don't have a phone number.") Regardless, dating leads to feelings getting hurt. Relationships lead to hearts being broken. Vulnerability leads to rejection. Over and over again until, one day, it doesn't. 

Strategic Love Play, produced by England's Purana Productions as part of the International Theatre Festival at Teatro Dallas, looks at dating and relationships through a different lens. When the majority of society uses online dating tools to outsource love, it takes the intimacy out of a possible connection. The person you're interested in becomes a product; dating becomes a service; the relationship now works for you. Strategic Love Play tells the story of Adam (Dhruv Iyengar) and Jenny's (Jazz Jenkins) first date after being matched on an app.

Director Dhruv Iyengar also plays Adam, or "D" as he presents himself on his dating profile, meets Jenny, or "Jenny" as she presents herself on her dating profile. Adam's huge, ridiculous smile on his face from the minute she enters the pub tells us this guy is either really sweet (not likely) or really fake (very likely.) "You smile a lot," (or, "Everything ok with your face, Bro?") Jenny says upfront. From the word go, Jenny isn't wasting time. She's off-putting. Definitely smug. But very on point. (Girl, who hurt you?) These two are not a good match. After a very tough bought of rejection, Adam is desperate to get back on his feet. After too many burns, Jenny is ready to give up on love because it's given up on her. This is a recipe for disaster; it'll do just fine. Prompted by Jenny, but agreed by both, this couple decides to leave love out of the picture and, instead, jump into a picture-perfect relationship, one that exists more or less for the spectators. 

Many elements of this production came together seamlessly, but most enticing was the use of staging. Audience members were sat on the stage, in a circle, surrounding the couple. A few smaller pub tables marked with a "reserved" plaque for lucky audience members acted as part of the setting. Iyengar, as Director, makes excellent use of the table and its surrounding space. As actors, Iyengar and Jenkins utilized different levels: standing, sitting in chairs, sitting on the floor, laying on the floor, exchanging places, moving chairs around. Most of it worked nicely and kept us engaged. 

The International Theatre Festival at Teatro Dallas, if you're unfamiliar, explores productions from creatives around the world. Next up is Potestad presented by Hugo Kogan from Argentina, showing only next weekend on February 21, 2026 as a one-time only experience, so don't miss it! Tickets are available at teatrodallas.org/productions/22itf I'll see you there!

Enjoy Theatre, 

Natalie