We take a look at what is being said about the latest musical to open in the West End…
Theatre & Tonic: *** “The real stars of this show are the wonderful designs created by a whole team of people. Production designer Anna Fleischile’s simple design of turning flats that have different additions of furniture each time they revolve with videos and animations by Andrzej Goulding, really do pull you into Henry and Clare’s world no matter what time or place they are in.”
WhatsOnStage: *** “With the assistance of Andrzej Goulding’s videos and animations and Rory Beaton and Lucy Carter’s lighting, the production moves beautifully from the real world to outer space. In “Journeyman”, which opens the second act, David Hunter’s Henry does indeed seem to race through time itself, as black and white animations, clever choreography (Shelley Maxwell), puppeteers and Chris Fisher’s illusions whisk him from one side of the stage to the other.”
The Stage: ** “New musical of Audrey Niffenegger’s time-travelling 2003 bestseller is soft focus and bland.”
Page to Stage Reviews: *** “The Time Traveller’s Wife at the Apollo Theatre is a feast for the eyes with its illusions and has some really solid central performances, making the most of a tricky book. The story is intricate and the musical adaptation has to condense the source material down to a slick 2.5 hours (including interval). But while the cast do their very best with the material they’re given, unfortunately something is lacking to bring the full breadth of emotions and complexity of this love story to life on the stage.”
The Guardian: *** “In the end, the optics sell the production, with well-crafted illusions by Chris Fisher for Henry’s disappearing acts. His time-travelling is signified by a crackle of light and we see his silhouette twist behind one of set designer Anna Fleischle’s beautiful gliding screens.”
The Telegraph: ** “Joanna Woodward is a strong lead and the stage effects are super, but Audrey Niffenegger’s novel translates awkwardly into musical theatre.”
The Independent: *** “Love (and being in a different century) threatens to tear the heroes apart in this sweet but surface-level show, adapted from Audrey Niffenegger’s book with songs by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart.”
Lou Reviews: “The Time Traveller’s Wife is a feast for the eyes and an entertaining evening out, but for me, it doesn’t quite convince or click in its central story.”
Time Out: *** “‘The Time Traveller’s Wife’ could be cleverer, more profound, with better songs and a more exciting story. But there’s something about its ease with itself that is beguiling. It’s watchable and fun, and if it’s not a great musical it’s an enjoyable one.”
The Evening Standard: ** “The grand romance of Audrey Niffenegger’s 2003 bestseller, which asked smart questions about how you’d cope if your partner was repeatedly, involuntarily transported through time, is here played for gloopy sentiment and goofy laughs.”
The Time Traveller’s Wife continues to play at the Apollo Theatre . You can book tickets here.