Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black, and Charles Hart's Aspects of Love has made a West End return with its first-ever revival at the Lyric Theatre, and the reviews are in. The production celebrated opening night May 25 after beginning performances May 13.
Michael Ball, who starred in the original 1989 production in London's West End and on Broadway, is back for the new staging, now playing Sir George Dillingham opposite Jamie Bogyo (Moulin Rouge!) as Alex, the role that Ball originated. They're joined by Laura Pitt-Pulford (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) as Rose, Anna Unwin as Jenny, and internationally renowned soprano Danielle de Niese as Giulietta.
Beginning May 29, U.K. musical theatre veteran Dave Willetts (The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Ragtime) will play the role of George every Monday with Ball playing all other performances.
Read the reviews below.
Daily Mail (Patrick Marmon and Veronica Lee)
Evening Standard (Nick Curtis)
London Theatre (Marianka Swain)
The New York Times (Houman Barekat)*
The Telegraph (Dominic Cavendish)
Time Out London (Andrzej Lukowski)
*This review may require creating a free account or a paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
The cast also includes Rosemary Ashe as Elizabeth, Vinny Coyle as Hugo, Dickon Gough as Barker, Ben Heathcote as Co-Barker, and Michael Matus as Marcel with Soophia Foroughi as the Alternate Giulietta, and Indiana Ashworth, Millie Gubby, and Katie Mitton sharing the role of Young Jenny. Ensemble members include Anthony Cable, Chumisa Dornford-May, Joanna O'Hare, and Linda Jarvis plus on stage swings Eu Jin Hwang, Daniel Jagusz-Holley, and Natasha O’Brien.
Based on the novel by David Garnet, Aspects of Love has music by Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Black and Hart. The musical, a story of passion, love, life and loss in post-war France and Italy, follows three generations of the Dillingham family spanning 17 years.
In the years since its premiere, a number of productions have been staged, mostly abroad, making revisions to the musical, including a 2007 U.K. tour, a 2010 London revival at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and a 2018 U.K. revival at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. Lloyd Webber compiled a "Definitive Script" in 2014, comprising elements of the various revisions of the work. Kent's revival reimagines the musical as a chamber work.
The revival features new musical arrangements by Tom Kelly based on original orchestrations by David Cullen and Lloyd Webber with set and costume design by John McFarlane, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Groothius, video design by Douglas O’Connell, choreography by Denni Sayers, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, and musical direction by Cat Beverbridge.
Performances are currently scheduled through November 11.
Aspects of Love is produced by Nica Burns, Max Weitzenhoffer, Adam Blanshay Productions, and Tegan Summer by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Limited.
Visit AspectsofLove.com.
Michael Ball and Danielle de Niese in Aspects of Love
Michael Ball and Danielle de Niese in Aspects of Love
Michael Ball and Jamie Bogyo in Aspects of Love
Danielle de Niese in Aspects of Love
Anna Unwin and Michael Ball in Aspects of Love
Company of Aspects of Love
Michael Ball in Aspects of Love
Laura Pitt-Pulford, Jamie Bogyo, and Michael Ball in Aspects of Love
Laura Pitt-Pulford, Michael Ball, and Danielle de Niese in Aspects of Love
Laura Pitt-Pulford and Michael Ball in Aspects of Love
Laura Pitt-Pulford and Jamie Bogyo in Aspects of Love
Laura Pitt-Pulford and Danielle de Niese in Aspects of Love
Laura Pitt-Pulford in Aspects of Love
Jamie Bogyo and Laura Pitt-Pulford in Aspects of Love
Jamie Bogyo in Aspects of Love
Danielle de Niese and Michael Ball in Aspects of Love
Danielle de Niese and Company of Aspects of Love
Company of Aspects of Love
