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,
