Harold Pinter Theatre
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Press Night for YOUR LIE IN APRIL was beyond sublime! (7th July 2024)
Absolutely ravishing!
I knew nothing about the original Manga story and was utterly enchanted and mesmerised!
YOUR LIE IN APRIL is deservedly receiving 5 numerous accolades everywhere!
It has EVERTHING.
And Everything is nigh on Perfect.
•Gorgeous, Soaring, Pulsating score fusing classical masterpieces from Rachmaninov and others with contemporary Musical Theatre from multi Grammy / Tony / Emmy winner Frank Wildhorn…
•Superb energised, meticulous, characterful cast and ensemble…
•Wonderful Singing (and acting) from everyone…
•Visually stunningly beautiful set design dominated by Japanese cherry blossoms by Justin Williams…
•Gorgeous screens with changing backdrops from homes to city skylines, to concert halls and evocative lighting…
•Beautiful jewel coloured floaty costumes…
•Crystal clear sound…
•Gorgeous production photos from Craig Sugdenand…
YOUR LIE IN APRIL is visually outstanding with stunning lighting, even in the entire theatre at times ~ we the audience are transported into the heart of this beautiful story and carried along to the heart-rending end
Every member of the young company is tremendous (the first 100% South East Asian Heritage in the West End), but Zheng Xi Yong as the central character Kōsei Arima is simply stupendous!
Breathtaking at times!
The Press Night audience went wild for him with good reason!
That Zheng is a highly accomplished Piano player in real life is clearly evident ~ every note we hear played on the grand piano at the centre of the show, is played in real time by himself, as it slowly revolves so everyone can marvel at his virtuosity and finesse. We even watch his hands in real time from an overhead camera on a screen above to further marvel!
Zheng is clearly a distinction graduate of the Royal Academy of Music (MA in Musical Theatre) and I was overwhelmed with the brilliance of his performance.
He also sings, acts and dances ~ We talk about ‘triple threat’ performers but Zheng opens up a category of ‘quadruple threat’ performers!
Truly astonishing!
Mia Kobayashi as Kaori Miyazono whose character is an accomplished violinist makes her professional debut in the role with immense presence, grace, energy and a heart-rending performance that gives no indication this is her debut. Also a stunning voice full of depth and emotion.
Together Zheng Xi Yong and Mia Kobayashi give us a truly realistic performance of two young people courageously facing their demons as they establish a friendship that ultimately becomes a love story.
I Must also mention the virtuosic, beautiful violin playing of Akiko Ishikawa who is Mia’s ‘shadow’ violin. As Mia does not play a violin in real life, director Nick Winston has beautifully staged this with Mia using a bow to ‘mime’ playing her invisibly held violin, whilst Aliko plays in real time. Sometimes they are back to back, sometimes side by side and there are other combinations and it is supremely beautiful to watch filling heart and soul whilst listening and at times you really do think Mia is actually playing her invisible violin! Glorious!
I don’t want to give away the story as I really loved having this unknown story open up to me throughout the show. Others may prefer to know everything about it before they go but it was a powerful and very wonderful experience to watch with no preconceptions or knowledge!
The rest of the cast are just as impressive and there are truly no weak links anywhere in this impressive cast ~ Rachel Clare Chan as Tsubaki is hugely charismatic and energised and is a great foil Dean John Wilson’s over-confident, witty Ryota along with fantastic vocals from both. Lucy Park as Kōsei’s mother gives a powerful performance as a cold, strict parent, setting the scene for the intense drama that unfolds…
Don’t miss out on seeing this BEAUTIFUL show!
FACTUAL BACKROUND
Your Lie in April is based on one of the most popular romantic stories and greatest tearjerkers in Japanese manga history.
Frank Wildhorn’s works span the worlds of popular, theatrical, and classical music and he says that…
YOUR LIE IN APRIL is a love letter to the beautiful power of music ~
To heal, to take us through life’s adventures, to create our most precious memories…
I’ve never had more fun than creating this music!”
In 1999, Frank became the first American composer in 22 years to have three shows running simultaneously on Broadway with Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Civil War. Also for Broadway: Bonnie & Clyde, Dracula, Victor/Victoria, Wonderland, and the revival of Jekyll & Hyde. The Korea Times recently proclaimed Wildhorn as “Korea’s most popular musical composer”
#MusicalTheatreExcellence
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Catherine Françoise
Reviewed 7th July 2024
Mozart to Musicals 