The Land of Might-Have-Been is a collective piece of musical theatre, produced by both Buxton International Festival & Norwich Theatre, bringing together the music of Ivor Novello and the life and inspiration of Vera Brittain.

This mesmerising and thought provoking musical is set in the summer before the First World War; a time of optimism, romance and all round hope as we are introduced to our heroes of the piece.

Vera Britten is superbly played by Audrey Brisson, who fiercely - ahead of her time - refuses to accept the societal norms thrust upon her, with ambitions for herself of a more fulfilling and enriched life. You would be hard pushed to not resonate with her struggle, which many women still face today. Vera’s steely resolve is somewhat altered when she meets Roland Leighton. A cavalier romantic with a penchant for poetry, Alexander Knox has all the debonair of a Lieutenant, who sweeps Vera off her feet. Roland dreams in words and poetry, and Roland and Vera play out a romance on paper, which is somewhat dampened in person by the presence of Vera’s mother.

Edward Britten (Vera’s brother) is the heart of this piece for us, with a childish buoyancy which exudes from George Arvidson every time he is on stage. Edward dreams of music, with songs in his head and a spring in his step. Vocally outstanding, his performance is both charming yet touching. Edward and his close friend Bobbie Jones’ relationship develops throughout this story, seeing the pair find honesty in their status as a couple at a time when their relationship spelled nothing but danger. Kit Esuroso plays brilliantly opposite Arvidson and the pair have some truly beautiful moments of closeness together.

This show exudes romanticism and really explores what it is to find love, even in the most challenging and difficult of circumstances. There are some wonderfully placed moments between the two couples that are so eloquently delivered throughout this piece, which merely heightens the feeling of humanity and connection.

The musical accompaniments of the piece are superb. From the opening sequence, you are instantly transported to another time, with a 14-piece live orchestra who fill the auditorium with joy from the word go. The company numbers are exquisite, bringing to life the extraordinary talents of Ivor Novello’s music, with a special mention to the ‘Buxton Ragtime Band’ which is a particularly fun number.

Whilst the first half contains all the optimism, hope and naivety with aspirations for the future, the second is more intimate, increasingly raw and bathed in the midst of war, with a beautiful focus on connection between our two couples, which is an extraordinary feat, to move between grandeur and granular and still captivate your audience.

Where it would have been wonderful to see that opulence echoed is within the sets of the piece. To see the lavish grandeur would have been a welcome accompaniment, to what is a superb piece of theatre.

As a new musical, this truly is a remarkable piece of theatre, which will see you transformed to another time, will make you laugh and cry, but overall will leave you with a feeling of hope.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Lauren Farley

The Land of Might-Have-Been plays at Norwich Theatre Royal until 30 July, with further information here.