Howard Goodall's affecting new musical Love Story opens at London’s Duchess Theatre on 6 December (previews from 27 November). A beautiful, funny and life-affirming adaptation of Erich Segal’s novella by Stephen Clark, it marks the producing debut of West End star Michael Ball and sees Emma Williams, Michael Xavier and Peter Polycarpou reprise their leading roles from the highly successful sell-out run at the Chichester Festival Theatre earlier this year. Booking info here.
‘(Goodall) … turns its overwrought story of sentimentality into a finely wrought mood piece that pulses with sensitivity…
It is fully 90 minutes into a 110-minute show before we get to that leukaemia will claim her body but not before she has worked her way into your heart. Emma Williams, whose emotional intelligence matches the lyrical clarity of her rapturous singing is a big reason for that and so is the gorgeous wash of Goodall’s magnificent melodies. You may find yourself in tears.’
Sunday Express (Mark Shenton), 13 June 2010
It is fully 90 minutes into a 110-minute show before we get to that leukaemia will claim her body but not before she has worked her way into your heart. Emma Williams, whose emotional intelligence matches the lyrical clarity of her rapturous singing is a big reason for that and so is the gorgeous wash of Goodall’s magnificent melodies. You may find yourself in tears.’
Sunday Express (Mark Shenton), 13 June 2010
‘The genius of turning this into a musical is that the songs offer welcome moments of interiority in the hectic narrative onslaught, giving crucial emotional heft and access into the hearts and minds of the lovestruck duo.
And it’s not just any songs we’re talking about, but plangent, beautifully crafted and sung pieces. The haunting opening number What Can You Say? deserves to become a classic.’
Evening Standard (Fiona Mountford), 8 June 2010
‘A delightful five-star boutique musical. Innovative, simple and beautiful.’
Daily Mail (Quentin Letts), 11 June 2010
‘Everything the film does but much better. Anyone with a heart will laugh louder, cry harder and come out singing. What more could one wish for except to see it again? I hope it transfers - and fast.’
The Mail on Sunday (Georgina Brown), June 2010
‘Beguiling. A delightful piece, ready to step out of the parlour.’
The Times (Libby Purves), 8 June 2010
‘Bright and astringent - the essential ingredient is Howard Goodall’s music. Yet another Chichester-grown show has a transfer in its sights.’
The Observer (Susannah Clapp), 13 June 2010
‘If you like the original Love Story, you’ll love this.’
Daily Telegraph (Charles Spencer), 8 June 2010
‘Howard Goodall’s gorgeous new chamber musical is finely wrought with an aching sensitivity… It’s a joy to find paradise instead in a homegrown original musical at Chichester.’
The Stage (Mark Shenton), 8 June 2010
And it’s not just any songs we’re talking about, but plangent, beautifully crafted and sung pieces. The haunting opening number What Can You Say? deserves to become a classic.’
Evening Standard (Fiona Mountford), 8 June 2010
‘A delightful five-star boutique musical. Innovative, simple and beautiful.’
Daily Mail (Quentin Letts), 11 June 2010
‘Everything the film does but much better. Anyone with a heart will laugh louder, cry harder and come out singing. What more could one wish for except to see it again? I hope it transfers - and fast.’
The Mail on Sunday (Georgina Brown), June 2010
‘Beguiling. A delightful piece, ready to step out of the parlour.’
The Times (Libby Purves), 8 June 2010
‘Bright and astringent - the essential ingredient is Howard Goodall’s music. Yet another Chichester-grown show has a transfer in its sights.’
The Observer (Susannah Clapp), 13 June 2010
‘If you like the original Love Story, you’ll love this.’
Daily Telegraph (Charles Spencer), 8 June 2010
‘Howard Goodall’s gorgeous new chamber musical is finely wrought with an aching sensitivity… It’s a joy to find paradise instead in a homegrown original musical at Chichester.’
The Stage (Mark Shenton), 8 June 2010