David Albury and Victoria Serra in Love Story at the Union Theatre, London. Picture: Darren Bell
Love Story continues at the Union Theatre, London until 25 October.
The second of the Union Theatre’s trilogy of Howard Goodall musicals is perhaps his most well-known. Based on Erich Segal’s novel and film, Love Story premiered in Chichester in 2010 before a brief West End run, but the small, intimate scale of the story feels more suited to the chamber style of this production. Unfortunately, what the staging gives in intimacy, it takes away in exposing the flaws of both adaptation and musicality.
Victoria Serra is the standout star of this production, as the working-class Jenny Cavilleri, whose flirty assertiveness ensnares the preppy Oliver Barratt IV (David Albury) while the pair are still at college. In print, and even in film, the years-long progression of the relationship from dating, to marriage (and disavowal by Oliver’s family) and on to tragic illness seems less rushed than it does in a few short scenes played out on stage. The effect is not so much of following a marriage from start to premature end, but of witnessing a whirlwind romance.
Stephen Clark’s book de-emphasises virtually any character beyond the central pairing, with the couple’s fathers – the only roles whose characterisations try to be anything other than paper-thin – little more than plot contrivances. Goodall’s music repeats its simple themes a little too often, and the attempt to weave in Francis Lai’s theme from the film fades away far too quickly.
With all these shortcomings, it falls squarely on the shoulders of Albury and Serra to provide a romance which holds the interest. And while there are glimmers of passion throughout, it’s a responsibility which largely eludes them, despite their impressive vocal performances. They are not helped by occasionally troubling directorial touches. An over-reliance on elaborate lighting distracts throughout, and the Act II’s opening number, ‘Pasta’, which on paper presents food-making as a metaphor for sex, is presented rather too literally on stage.
Musical director Inga Davis-Rutter and her four-piece band do bring a romantic atmosphere to this theatrical production. But ultimately, it is not enough for a show which fails to woo its audience.
Scott Matthewman
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