Harold Pinter theatre, London
Already adapted into a film and TV series, this vibrant if at times conventional stage version of the beloved manga delivers pop, classical, dance and teenage angst
In Naoshi Arakawa’s beloved manga Your Lie in April – also a film and anime series – renowned piano player Kōsei is unable to perform music after the death of his mother, haunted as he is by her uncompromising teaching methods. Kōsei is charming and sarcastic, two traits that have translated well from page to stage in this new adaptation by Riko Sakaguchi and Rinne B. Groff, with music by Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn.
The troubled young pianist (played by Zheng Xi Yong) meets an effervescent violinist, Kaori (Mia Kobayashi), who is criticised by music judges for her unwillingness to strictly follow scores. As she and Kōsei form a new musical partnership, tragedy strikes. The familiar love story trope of boy meets girl (before boy’s fate changes) is given fresh energy by merging components that, frankly, should not work together: poppy show tunes, gripping classical music solos, energetic choreography and teen banter.
Your Lie in April is at the Harold Pinter theatre, London, until 21 September
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