Two thirty-somethings passionately embracing in bed is the opening scene to the heartfelt comedy ‘Midsummer’.

It was the play’s last performance at the Theatre Royal yesterday evening and the musical romance was well received.

‘Midsummer’ (a play with songs) is set in Edinburgh and follows the lives of Bob and Helena and their tumultuous weekend together. From car chases and wedding traumas to bondage miscalculations and midnight trysts; their lost weekend dominates the play.

However at the crux of ‘Midsummer’ are the glimpses into Bob and Helena’s past misfortunes, which are slowly exposed as the play progresses. The audience play their own part in revealing Bob’s mid life crisis, with Helena choosing members of the crowd to ask him (rather humorously) what he should do next.

Cora Bissett and Matthew Pidgeon play the ill-advised love match and their characters were created by one of Scotland’s leading playwrights, David Greg and top singer/songwriter Gordon McIntyre.

One of the highlights of the play was its ability to tie comedy and sadness together. Bob is not simply a tragic car salesman, nor is Helena just a wealthy, successful lawyer; both have secrets they can’t forget. As the play unfolds they intimately share the bleak memories of their past, and in doing so, add depth and intrigue to the story.

As the final curtain dropped the audience were in raptures, many on their feet to show their appreciation. Such enthusiasm is mirrored by The Guardian, who described the play as “Exhilarating [...] you float out laughing as if you’ve swallowed a spoon of sunshine.”

As Brighton Festival gradually comes to a close, ‘Midsummer’ was a wonderfully charming story to remember it by.