Original Book by: Erich Segal

Music: Howard Goodall

Book and Lyrics: Stephan Clark

Director: Rachel Kavanaugh

Reviewer: Jim Nicholson

The Public Reviews Rating:

I certainly do not give five star ratings to shows lightly, in actual fact, on this site, this is my first ever. I have seen literally hundreds of shows over the years, including every major West End musical for the last three decades and in that time I would probably only have given around twenty of them this same accolade, we are talking here about the likes of Les Miserables, Ragtime, Spring Awakening.

So what does this show have that so many others don’t, the answer is simple – heart. It has taken Erich Segal’s tear jerk novel, that was made into a much loved film, and literally brought it to life.

The story is told so beautifully in song that the audience are spellbound from the very opening as ‘What Can You Say’ tugs at the heartstrings and everybody knows they are in for one hell of a journey.

This opening number is delivered in some style by Lillie Flynn, Julia Worsley and Claire Carrie as they sit amongst the orchestra, it  builds and builds , the rest of the cast join and ‘zapp’ we are all hooked and in tears so early as the last piece of the jigsaw, Emma Williams, enters and chorally lets us know what we are about to see. What a fantastic opening!

The breathtaking, passionate, heartfelt performance of Williams with a voice of beauty and clarity will be award winning. I will repeat that ‘will be award winning’.

The chemistry ignites instantly with the suave, lovable Oliver, played by Michael Xavier. Like Williams, Xavier is now one of the Uks leading performers and he not only has the super rich voice that so suits this role but the physique and character that does 100% justice to our rock hard ice hockey bruiser who finds himself enchanted by the girl who possesses all his strengths and a little bit more.

Together they enthrall time and again no better highlighted than on ‘Pasta’ and ‘Everything We Know’. Williams rendition of ‘Nocturnes’ though is perhaps the melodic pinnacle of the night. It is also great to hear the original film theme as part of the piano recital.

Howard Goodall’s score is wonderful with an orchestra of piano and six strings, superbly lead by Stephen Ridley. Can you believe Goodall has surpassed even ‘The Hired Man’! Stephen Clark, who has so recently produced such a great book and lyrics for Zorro as well as previously doing so much to transform Martin Guerre, has come up here with the ‘work of his life’.

The night is just so compellingly that when you compare it to the power of the film, and we are talking about a classic here that could easily swallow up even darn good attempts, it unquestionably comes up trumps.

Peter Polycarpou, as Jenny’s dad is, as always, glorious especially vocally and Rob Edwards gets the aloofness of Oliver’s millionaire father off to a tee. Jos Slovick also catches the eye once again, just as he did in Spring Awakening.

The design of Peter McIntosh sees a very pure background and ensures that the difficulties of presenting to a three sided audience in no ways detracts from the believability, working gas hobs included. The direction of Rachel Kavanaugh is sublime and by the final scene the audience are no longer deftly wiping the tears away as they adjust their glasses or itch their noses, all pretence has gone and tissues are out a plenty.

How can I go on, I have run out of superlatives. In summary three simple words, MUST GO SEE!

Runs until 26th June

Love Story - Chichester Festival Theatre, 5.0 out of 5 based on 4 ratings

Tags: 2010, chichester, Chichester Festival Theatre, Claire Carrie, Emma Williams, Erich Segal, Howard Goodall, Jos Slovick, Julia Worsley, Les Miserables, Lillie Flynn, Marin Guerre, Michael Xavier, Minerva Theatre, Musical, Peter McKintosh, Peter Polycarpou, Rachel Kavanaugh, Ragtime, Rob Edwards, Spring Awakening, Stephen Clark, Stephen Ridley., The Hired Man, Zorro