West End Wednesday: LOVE STORY
Photo credit: Manuel Harlan
Love Story is a 2010 musical based on the novel of the same name by author Erich Segal. The musical opens at the funeral of Jenny and as the company reflect upon her life, it unfolds before the audience, chartering her passionate love story with Oliver.
The musical has music by Howard Goodall, with a book by Stephen Clark and lyrics by Goodall and Clark. The production premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2010 running from 29 May – 26 June. The production starred Emma Williams as Jenny, Michael Xavier as Oliver and Peter Polycarpou as Phil. The musical was met with critical acclaim by critics and audiences alike and sold out its entire run at Chichester.
In November of the same year, the production transferred to London’s West End for a strictly limited 10-week run at The Duchess Theatre. Actor Michael Ball made his producing debut in a co-production credit alongside Adam Spiegel and Stephen Waley-Cohen. The musical had direction from Rachel Kavanaugh, musical staging from Lizzi Gee, costume design by Peter McKintosh, and lighting design by Howard Harrison. The musical was a critical success and ended its run on 26 February 2011.
The musical had its North American premiere as part of The Walnut Theatre in Philadelphia’s 204th season in 2012 starring Alexandra Silber as Jenny and Will Reynolds as Oliver. The musical toured the Netherlands between 2012-2014 starring West End favourite Celinde Schoenmaker as Jenny. In 2014, the Bolton Octagon produced Love Story starring Daniel Boys as Oliver and Lauren Samuels as Jenny in a production directed by Elizabeth Newman that was welcomed with rave reviews.
The musical has also seen further productions in America as well as Germany. In 2021, the original stars of the musical will reunite for a 10th anniversary concert on 28 November at Cadogan Hall.
Besties, Love Story is a gorgeous British musical that deserves all the love, so please do listen.
Cast recording available on streaming services.
FACTS:
Music: Howard Goodall
Lyrics: Howard Goodall and Stephen Clark
Book: Stephen Clark
Theatre: The Duchess Theatre
Run: 27 November 2010 – 26 February 2011 (Around 90 performances)
OLIVIERS:
(NOMINATED) Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical – Michael Xavier, Best Actress in a Musical – Emma Williams.
