Your Lie in April announces new closing date

Your Lie in April has announced a new, early closing date in the West End.

The manga, published in 2011, has since sold over 7.5 million copies in 17 countries. It was adapted into a 22-part anime TV series in 2014, and a Japanese live-action film in 2016. The Japanese musical, now translated, was first seen in 2022.

Considered one of the most popular romantic stories and greatest tearjerkers in Japanese manga history, the show follows a young piano prodigy who is unable to perform following his mother’s death. His life then changes when he strikes a friendship with a talented violinist.

Originally set to play until 21 September, the piece will now wrap up its spell at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 11 August 2024.

Producers said today: “We are proud to have made history by bringing the first manga musical to the West End and to have given the opportunity for the first 100 per cent Asian and Southeast Asian cast to perform in a West End musical. Our journey from two sold out concerts at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane to a full West End production at The Harold Pinter Theatre (hosting its first musical since 2016) turned around in a matter of weeks due to popular demand. We are immensely proud of the show and the amazing work from the creative team, cast, crew, and musicians – and we thank them for their dedication and incredible work. It is particularly exciting to us how many people made Your Lie in April their first ever West End musical experience. And to our audiences who dressed the part and cheered them on, we say Bravo!”

The theatrical production, which has music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Carly Robyn Green and Tracy Miller, English book by Rinne B Groff, music arrangement and orchestration by Jason Howland and original book by Riko Sakaguchi, was first seen on UK shores at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where the piece played three concerts.

The show is led by Zheng Xi Yong (Spring Awakening) as Kosei Arima, Rachel Clare Chan (Oliver!) as Tsubaki Sawabe and Dean John-Wilson (The King and I) as Ryota Watari, who all starred in the concert version of the show, with Mia Kobayashi making her professional debut as Kaori Miyazono.

They are joined on stage by Ernest Stroud (as Takeshi, first cover Watari/second cover Kosei), JoJo Meredith (as Derick, first cover Kosei), Chris Fung (as Mi-ike, ensemble), Eu Jin Hwang (as Kaori’s Dad, Judge #1), Daniel Nardone (as swing), Ericka Posadas (as Emi/ensemble), Lucy Park (as Kosei’s Mom), Gracie Lai (as Kaori’s Mom, Judge #2), Imogen Law Hing Choy (as ensemble) and Ria Tanaka (as swing). Stroud, Meredith, Fung and Hwang are all reprising their respective roles from Drury Lane.

The creative team includes director and choreographer Nick Winston, co-director Jordan Murphy, musical supervisor Katy Richardson, musical director and conductor Chris Poon, set designer Justin Williams, costume designer Kimie Nakano, sound designers Rob Bettle for Sound Quiet Time and Adam Fisher, lighting designer Rory Beaton, and video designer Dan Light. Orchestral management is handled by Rich Morris for Music Solutions Ltd, with production manager Toby P Darvill, and casting director Harry Blumenau.

Also attached are associate director and choreographer Tommy Franzen, associate musical supervisor and associate musical director Chris Ma, associate set designer Christophe VandenEynde, assistant musical director Cerys McKenna, costume supervisor Rachel Dickson, and dramaturg, cultural consultant and back translator Yojiro Ichikawa.

The associate production team includes associate production manager Charlie Rayner, WHAM supervisor Becky Rungen, casting associate Laura Seaborn, and children’s casting assistant Nikki Seymour.

Company management features company manager Eric Lumsden, stage manager Sarah-Jane Ledbury, deputy stage manager Hannah Halden, and assistant stage managers Jinwen Chen and Alex Jaouen. The technical crew features head of sound Mike Poon, sound 3 Sarah Atherton-Knight, head of wardrobe Wendy Phillips, head of automation Sloane Jorba, deputy head of automation Ed Corazza, and head of WHAM Jessica McKeand.