Review: Your Lie In April (Harold Pinter Theatre)

Review by Daz Gale

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The rise of musical theatre concerts has been a growing trend in recent years, ever since Bonnie & Clyde used their concerts to springboard their West End launch. Alongside one-off revivals of classics, these concerts have been used to premiere new musicals in the hope of growing a fanbase and possibly landing their own West End run. That is exactly what happened with Your Lie In April¸ enjoying its European and English language premiere with a concert in April (appropriately enough). With a rapturous response and critical acclaim (you can see my deserved five stars from that concert outside the theatre), a 12-week run in the West End run was announced shortly after. While the concert proved to be incredibly special, could this fully staged production repeat the success or would I end up looking back at my original five stars in April and think it was a lie?

Adapted from the Japanese manga series that debuted in 2011, the musical adaptation of Your Lie In April was first announced in 2019 but took until 2022 to premiere in Tokyo, due to the pandemic. Its European and English language premiere took place at Theatre Royal Drury Lane for three performances in April and now moves down the road to the Harold Pinter Theatre for a limited run.

Blending the worlds of classical and musical theatre together, Your Lie In April centres on Kosei Arima, a piano prodigy who stops being able to hear music following the death of his mother. A flourishing friendship with violinist Kaori Miyazono pushes him to return to music, but this raises several questions as the story unfolds. Would Kosei ever be able to return to his former glory and hear the music again? What is the nature of his relationship with Kaori and what exactly was this lie in April? The answers are all given in this gorgeously told story.

Riko Sakaguchi’s book translates the story from the original manga for the stage with Rinnie B. Groff responsible for the English language book. There is a concern that something may be lost in translation and the power and emotion from the original story may be lost along the way. However, that is not the case here in a production that has been delicately crafted to ensure every detail remains and lands as effectively and impactfully as possible. The result is a sweet and captivating story that effortlessly immerses you into Kosei and Kaori’s world, have you invested in their stories, and tugs at the heartstrings at key moments throughout.

The world-building is flawlessly created by Nick Winston who once again executes his expert direction and stunning choreography to make the story come alive in creative and exhilarating ways. This works in tandem with Justin William's gorgeous set design, Dan Light’s video design, and beautiful lighting from Rory Beaton. This all leads to a beautiful and consistent aesthetic being given to the story, finding creative and visually pleasing ways to bring a story that is less fantastical and more grounded and human to life while still retaining a beautiful sheen that stays bright, even when the story takes its darker turns.

Perhaps the strongest element of Your Lie In April is in Frank Wildhorn’s score. The high quality of the music is instantly set with stunning opener and show standout ‘If I Can’t Hear The Music’ and this standard remains throughout, never faltering to create a gloriously consistent score. Carly Robyn Green and Tracy Miller’s lyrics further the story and create true beauty in the numbers that feel destined to become favourites among many a musical theatre lover. Highlights include the rousing and eerily familiar ‘4.9 (Speed Of Sound)’, ‘Just Like A Movie’, and the incredible standout that is Act One Closer ‘In Your Hands’. 

Holding the honour of being the first West End musical to feature a cast who all have a South East Asian heritage, Your Lie In April features a mix of cast members returning from April’s concert joined by new additions. With such impressive performers filling every inch of the Harold Pinter Theatre stage, it’s a wonder it doesn’t collapse from the weight of their immense talent. This is none more apparent than in Zheng Xi Yong’s jaw-droppingly striking lead performance as Kosei Arima. With a wonderful singing voice that seemingly knows no limits and an authentic approach to the emotive nature of his character’s journey, it is his musicality that truly elevates his performance to something special. Playing live on the piano throughout the performance, it is one solo piece in the second act that showcases his abilities, resulting in the biggest response of the evening.

Mia Kobayashi joins the production as Kaori Miyazono, showcasing an enormous stage presence that ensures all eyes are on her whenever she opens her mouth. With a phenomenal gift of a singing voice, she thrills with performances of ‘Perfect’ and ‘In Your Hands’ as well as displaying the complexities of her character, demanding vulnerability and confidence, sometimes simultaneously.  With Akiko Ishikawa subbing for her to play the violin during her scenes, this is cleverly created to show both performers and never detract from either of their abilities.

Dean John Wilson thrills as Ryota Watari, with his character more refined than in the concert production, feeling less like a caricature and more rounded thanks to some creative tweaks. Rachel Clare Chan has a scene-stealing turn as Tsubaki Sawabe, with both of these secondary characters lifting the story and its two main stars through their exceptional portrayals. Elsewhere, a fantastic supporting cast shines at every turn in a production that sometimes sees a light on them for mere seconds before moving on – miraculously, they all manage to make the most out of these and leave an impression in a hard-working and consistent cast where nobody drops below the perfect standard that has been set.

I fell in love with Your Lie In April when I first saw it… in April. Already a five-star show, I saw the potential this had and commented that it wouldn’t be long before we saw it in the West End. Rather than rest on their laurels and transfer it as it was, the creative team has very clearly tirelessly worked on the show, revising and adapting it further. The result is an even better version of itself than I had previously seen just 3 short months ago. The grander stage of Theatre Royal Drury Lane has paved the way for a tighter space which leads to a more intimate production, very much working in its favour as it allows for more of an emotive and real connection to the heart of the story.

One of the most exciting new shows to appear in the West End this year, Your Lie In April is beautifully poignant and moving, encapsulating what musical theatre can do at its best. A story that penetrates your heart is bolstered by Frank Wildhorn’s wonderful and instantly classic score, performed by a truly exceptional cast to create a life-affirming experience that is wonderfully reflective of the fragility of life., Your Lie In April was already amazing in April… it is now jaw-dropping in July. To say this production is as close to perfect as it gets really would be no lie. While this limited West End run is still an early step on the journey of Your Lie In April, it is worth keeping your eyes on this exciting and emotive new musical as the future is sure to be bright for it.

Your Lie In April plays at the Harold Pinter Theatre until 21st September

Tickets available here

Photos by Craig Sugden