It’s not that often that the West End welcomes a genuinely new British musical, as opposed to an import or a revival. So it is refreshing to encounter this version of Erich Segal’s Seventies romance, originally a novella though best known as a film starring Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw.
Presented earlier this year at Chichester, Love Story is the first West End show in more than two decades from versatile composer Howard Goodall.
It’s an intimately staged account of the relationship between Harvard jock Oliver, who comes from a stuffy background, and Jenny, an attractive young woman of Italian immigrant stock. Their love falters at first.
Then it blooms gorgeously but fate intervenes. Where Segal’s original was mawkish, this interpretation is less saccharine, even if still very much a weepie. Stephen Clark’s book is mostly tactful and restrained, with an odd dash of tangy humour, as in a clever, energetic ode to pasta.
The performances are strong. Oliver is not easy to like but Michael Xavier imbues the role with feeling. As Jenny, Emma Williams can appear desperately vulnerable yet also conveys teasing wit. Of the supporting cast, Peter Polycarpou makes the richest impression, delightful as Jenny’s demonstrative father.
However, given its subject matter, Rachel Kavanaugh’s production seems chaste. It could do with more emotional punch. It doesn’t help that from the start we know the outcome; too little is at stake. And although Stephen Ridley’s small onstage band plays smartly and Goodall’s orchestrations are deft, the music is repetitive and not vividly memorable. The result is a polished show that is pleasing, sometimes affecting, but never truly captivating.
Until April 30. Information: 0870 890 1103.
Love Story
Duchess Theatre
Catherine Street, WC2B 5LA
