THE TIME TRAVELLER'S WIFE

Storyhouse, Chester

Review by Brian Gorman

Reviewed on 13 October 2022

 

Book written by Lauren Gunderson

Based on the novel by Audrey Niffenegger

Based on the screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin

Music & Lyrics by Joss Stone & Dave Stewart

Directed by Bill Buckhurst

 

I don’t think I have ever seen a more spectacular, and visually stunning production as this outstanding adaptation of the novel (and film) ‘The Time Traveller’s Wife’. It’s a great title which promises a great deal, and this brand-new musical with music & lyrics by the mighty Dave Stewart (The Eurythmics) and Joss Stone, completely lives up to all expectations. This world premiere has delighted Chester audiences on its debut run, and is due to transfer to the West End.

Henry (David Hunter) has the power to spontaneously travel through time, disappearing at often inappropriate moments (including on his own wedding day), and reappearing moments later having visibly aged. His predicament is a pretty major hindrance to his relationship with the title character; his wife Clare (Joanna Woodward). The show opens with the wedding day preparations, and a huge invitation card projected onto the towering, monolithic screens that dominate the stage. Anna Fleischle’s design is comprised of several huge blank screens that skate around the stage to form a bewildering variety of backgrounds and locations. Effective use of front and back projection bring a multitude of time periods to life, including 1960s New York when Henry visits his youthful parents, and his infant self.

It's a risky story to tell, live on stage, as the narrative zips around time and space, and things can be a little difficult to keep track of. Fortunately, there is so much happening, so many memorable characters, and outstanding magical effects, that the audience are whisked along on an emotional rollercoaster. I can usually tell when I’m watching something good, as I haven’t the time to get bored. Even with the very best shows, there will be moments when my mind wanders to what pint I’m going to have in the bar, later, or what I’m going to eat when I get home. But, on this occasion, time literally flew by, and we were witnessing a raucous and appreciative full house rising to their feet at the finale.

I’ve never been a fan of musicals. I can admire the talent and effort that goes into them, but I find the often cheesy, camp, and cringingly melodramatic way that characters suddenly burst into song, pretty irritating and alienating. I thought things were heading in that direction when we had the opening, ensemble song ‘The Story Of Love’, and I was prepared for a barrage of schmaltz. However, my misgivings deteriorated immediately once we headed back a few years (onscreen captions were a great help, here), and witnessed Henry’s first meeting with Clare. However, and prepare for some metaphorical head-scratching, it isn’t Clare’s first meeting with Henry. Here, in this flirty, comic scene we are given the show in microcosm. Henry and Clare will meet again, at varying times in their lives, and one or the other will have the upper hand, experience-wise. It’s a wonderful template for romantic confusion, a little slapstick, and buckets of pathos. A stand-out scene involves Henry making a unilateral decision about their complex and problematic relationship, and Clare reacting with extreme anger and hurt. Woodward belts out probably the most effective and moving song (‘I’m In Control’) which had the audience applauding through their tears, and the actor visibly shaken.

As with all time travel stories, the possibilities for entertainment, enchantment, and ingenious solutions to painfully recognisable human problems are limitless. So, with ‘The Time Traveller’s Wife’, we get to enjoy every emotion possible, every hope, and every fear. Henry’s unique ability allows him to encounter his parents, friends, and partner at varying stages of their lives, and their character development. He sees the small moments, and the traumatic incidents that will impact them for years to come. Henry’s personal experience, character, and inner life are effectively communicated by David Hunter’s endearing everyman (part Jim Carrey, part Henry Fonda). He is bewildered, angry, tortured, playful, and often emotionally and physically lost. Every appearance finds him having to immediately adapt to the emotions of the moment, whilst processing equally demanding scenarios just seconds (to him) and years (to every other character) ago. It’s an incredibly demanding role that gives the actor a magnificent opportunity to communicate every facet of the character’s heart and mind, and Hunter succeeds admirably.

Chris Fisher’s illusions are used to enhance, but not overwhelm the narrative. Henry’s regular disappearances, prefaced by the character suddenly trembling and jerking with stress and pain, are simply astonishing at times. Ranging from simple distraction techniques, resulting in the actor exiting unseen, while his clothes fall in a crumpled heap to the floor, we are also treated to complex lighting, animation, and projections that show Henry travelling through time in the form of an epic ballet. Special mention must go to 12-year-old Phoebe Cheffings, who played the younger version of Clare (the role is shared, on different nights, with others) with great skill, tender vocals, and a maturity beyond her years.

Bill Buckhurst’s direction keeps things tight, and every character has a chance to shine. Short, impactful scenes play out cinematically, and the songs are effortlessly slipped in, contributing hugely to the inner life of the characters, and often segueing seamlessly into the action.

This is a show that is a true audience pleaser. There is romance, action, adventure, drama, comedy, and a triumphant soundtrack. The acting is top notch, the set is amazing, the effects outstanding. What is there not to like?

Well, I could have done without the entire cast reassembling for a grand finale, belting out ‘Love Wins The Day’, which only served to undermine the poignant and heart-rending scenes that would have made for a dramatically effective, and bittersweet, ending. Maybe that’s just me, though?

I still don’t like musicals, but this isn’t just a musical.

 

Tags: Storyhouse, Chester, The Time Traveller’s Wife, Lauren Gunderson, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Bill Buckhurst, Anna Fleischle, David Hunter, Joanna Woodward, Phoebe Cheffings,