Lesser known than Death Note but hugely successful both as a comic book series and an anime, Your Lie in April follows young Kōsei as he grieves for his late mum. A piano prodigy who’s lost all ability to play after her death, he is shackled by depression. Everything changes when he meets Kaori, a violin wunderkind who’s unfazed by Kōsei’s amusia and hassles him to be her accompanist at a competition.

This return to the stage is a triumphant achievement as the first British musical to feature a cast of only Asian actors. Directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, the piece is a tender look at bereavement and a celebration of the healing powers of music marked by Frank Wildhorn’s exciting brand of orchestral pop compositions. With an English-language book by Rinne B Groff and lyrics written by Carly Robyn Green and Tracy Miller, the soaring joy of friendship and the pressure of growing up coexist in a sequence of grand ballads and songs that romanticise teenage strife.

Though slightly changed from its original run so it hits differently to how it did a few months back, Your Lie in April tugs at the heartstrings of those who are either already familiar with the material or particularly devoted to classical music. With gut-punching numbers about art, grief and solidarity, it remains a tear-jerker.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Your Lie in April by Frank Wildhorn (music), Tracy Miller and Carly Robyn Green (lyrics), Riko Sakaguchi (original book), Rinne B Groff (English-language book)

Harold Pinter Theatre, London, 5 July 2024

Starring Zheng Xi Yong, Mia Kobayashi, Dean John-Wilson, Rachel Clare Chan et al

Directed by Nick Winston

Your Lie in April is booking until 21 September 2024 – for more information and tickets, visit yourlieinapril.co.uk

You can read our full review in the August/September issue of Musicals magazine out on 26 July – consider subscribing today!