WISH-LIST WEDNESDAY: Love Story

PREMIERED: 2010 (Chichester Festival Theatre)

SCORE: Howard Goodall / Stephen Clark

BOOK: Stephen Clark

Stream/Download:

Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube

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A return to the wish list sees us dive into the back catalogue of a composer you have probably heard more frequently on television, as Howard Goodall to most is best known for his TV theme tunes, having written intro music to shows such as "Blackadder", "The Vicar of Dibley" and "QI". It would most likely surprise many to learn that he also has several pieces of musical theatre to his name, most notably a stage adaptation of BAFTA nominated film "Bend It Like Beckham". This week, however, we are going to focus on one of his more intimate works entitled "Love Story", based on the Erich Segal novella of the same name, as well as the film into which it later developed.

The story focusses on rich young Oliver, who falls in love with impoverished Italian pianist Jenny, marrying her against the wishes of his family, leading to him being disinherited. This results in him attending law school, whilst Jenny works to support the pair of them. What makes this story particularly poignant, even tragic, is that we learn of Jenny's fate in the opening scene, as the musical kicks off at her funeral, with her family and friends reminiscing about her life that was tragically cut short by leukemia. With the ending given away so early on, this shifts our focus on to the couple themselves, and how their relationship build and develops, rather than where it's going and its ultimate climax, allowing us to live in the moment with them.

Premiering at the Chichester Festival Theatre, the show later transferred to the west end, running at the Duchess Theatre for a limited 11-week engagement, in what was west end legend Michael Ball's producing debut. In a move that was unconventional for a musical, the score was orchestrated for piano and string septet, giving Goodall's score a feeling of rich, lush classicality. In addition to having been critically acclaimed, it was nominated for three Olivier Awards, including for best musical, as well as acting nods for Emma Williams and Michael Xavier, playing Jenny and Oliver respectively. In spite of its comparatively modest innings, the show has subsequently been performed all over the world, including in the Netherlands, Russia, Germany and the USA, as well as at the Edinburgh Fringe, so one has to think there remains an audience for this most intimate, beautifully composed of musicals in future...

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Have you seen "Love Story", or even listened to the cast recording? Let me know below, or via my instagram page.