THEATRE REVIEW: The Time Traveller's Wife - The Storyhouse, Chester.

Anything with “time travel” in the title, and this reviewer is there. Plus, this is the first ever theatrical adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger’s  classic timeslip romance novel. Testing the waters at Chester Storyhouse before heading to the West End, this musical production is a dazzling display of technical illusion and special effects, combined with a poignant score, witty book and lyrics, and sensitive yet entertaining performances from its cast. Last night’s performance finished with a standing ovation.

The first act covered the initial romance of Henry (the time traveller) and Clare (his eventual wife) meeting for the first time in different time zones – she meets him for the first time when she is ten, circa the late 1970s, he meets her for the first time when he is in his late twenties, circa the mid 1990s – and culminated in their wedding. There was a lot of jumping around in different decades here, particularly the 1980s and 1990s, and a lot of fun was had by designer Anna Fleischle and wigs, hair and make-up designer Susanna Peretz in their historically accurate yet colourful designs. The teenage party in the 1980s, where Clare’s friends Charisse and Gomez joined the story, was particularly merciless in its use of mullets, denim and crimped hair.

The second act lingered more on the 2000s, and the implications of being married to a time traveller. The focus became a lot more lyrical, atmospheric and plaintive. It opened with a stunning sequence showcasing the full effects of video designer Andrzej Goulding and illusion designer Chris Fisher, as they shared with the audience the experience of being hurtled through time tunnels all the time from Henry’s perspective:  – that one sequence alone is worth the price of the ticket.

Lauren Gunderson’s book switched from sympathetic yearning to full American sass in as many twists and turns as Henry’s time-travelling sequences, and her running commentary on relationships in general led to some moments of very sharp humour. The music and lyrics of Joss Stone and Dave Stewart focused more on the emotional core of the story, keeping a gently boppy pop background going of no discernible decade, but easily moving into piquancy when required. Director Bill Buckhurst had multiple design elements flowing seamlessly into each other, and created a world where time travel was real.

Joanna Woodward’s performance as Clare was beautiful: somewhat ditzy romantic comedy in the first act, artist / mother / left-behind wife in the second act. David Hunter as Henry sustained the focus of a very ordinary man who has a very extraordinary genetic ability, and kept it truthful and plausible. Phoebe Cheffings was charming as both their ten-year-old daughter Alba and the younger Clare.

Tim Mahendran was notable as baffled best friend Gomez, shambling around in comedy one moment, but flashing into dynamic anger the next, particularly in his song on first meeting Henry who he had encountered before during a time travel. Hiba Elchike nearly stole the show as Clare’s friend Charisse: sardonic, witty, and always ready to take dominance in any mad situation that occurred. Aisha Davis performed the scientist Dr Kendrick with icy intelligence. Ross Dawes was a grumpily tender presence as Henry’s widowed father.

Please do go and see it. It’s going to be a classic of musical theatre.

Reviewer - Thalia Terpsichore
on - 13.10.22