The much-anticipated stage musical adaptation of the bestselling novel The Time Traveller’s Wife will premiere at Storyhouse in Chester later this year ahead of a West End transfer.
Based on Audrey Niffenegger’s acclaimed debut novel and the New Line Cinema film screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, the musical will play a two-week season in Chester from 30 September until 15 October 2022 before transferring to an, as yet, unnamed West End venue.
Featuring original music and lyrics by pop royalty Joss Stone and Dave Stewart and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan and a book by award-winning playwright Lauren Gunderson, the production will be directed by Bill Buckhurst and designed by Anna Fleische.
Produced by Colin Ingram for InTheatre Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Teresa Tsai and Crossroads Live, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, the creative team for the production also includes choreographer Shelley Maxwell and lighting designer Lucy Carter, with illusions by Chris Fisher, video design by Andrjez Goulding, sound design by Richard Brooker, musical supervision and arrangement by Nick Finlow and orchestrations by Bryan Crook. Casting will be by Stuart Burt.
Discussing the project, Gunderson said: “I will never forget reading the last chapter of Audrey Niffenegger’s book over ten years ago and being floored by its thunderous emotion and potent humanity. I knew this love story belonged on stage with music and vision that matches its emotional punch and soaring feeling. I know this musical will lift, delight, hearten and exhilarate.”
Welcoming the musical version of her much-loved first novel, Niffenegger said: “I am thrilled that my book is being adapted for the stage and with the very talented artists who are creating the musical. I am really looking forward to seeing what they do with it.”
Commenting on their involvement in bringing the romantic tale to the stage, regular musical collaborators Stewart and Stone said: “We have been on many crazy adventures together but we’ve never ‘Time Travelled’ till meeting Lauren Gunderson.
“Writing these songs together whilst being in different locations on different time zones has been a trip (literally), throwing us into an eddy of emotive melodies and heart-wrenching lyrics to go with the push and pull of this unusual love story.
“We all time travel in our relationships and in our lives in general, but to write something that people will see and hear happening live on stage is thrilling to imagine, and hearing Bill Buckhurst’s interpretations of Lauren’s script for the stage as we went along has been so inspiring.”
Producer Ingram added: “I am so delighted to be bringing this incredible new musical to the 750-seat Chester Storyhouse for a two-week run prior to a transfer to the West End and beyond.
“We are excited to come to this fantastic new theatre, which has an incredible ethos of accessibility and nurture led by CEO Andrew Bentley, and to show the people of Chester and the North West this exciting, thrilling and beautiful new musical which Joss Stone and Dave Stewart have written stunning new songs for.
“For those who have not been to the Storyhouse, this premiere is the time to come and enjoy a fantastic musical in a fantastic venue with a great atmosphere and facilities.”
First published in 2003 The Time Traveller’s Wife was turned into a film starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams which was released in 2009.
Angela Thomas
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