REVIEW: YOUR LIE IN APRIL at The Harold Pinter Theatre until 21 September 2024

‘Refreshing and timely escapism with the entire cast being of east, southeast Asian or Eurasian mixed race heritage’ ★★★★

For those who are not familiar with the term manga, it is a visual art form originating from Japan, with comics, graphic and cartoon novels that conform to an art style developed in late 19th century Japan. Manga grew to become a major part of the Japanese publishing company, expanding its readership internationally through the promotion of Japanese content to overseas markets, in particular the North American and European manga markets which have proved to be economically very lucrative. The manga artist Naoshi Arakawa who began his career in the year 2007 wrote and illustrated the romantic drama manga Your Lie in April which appeared in its original Japanese title Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, in 2011 in Kodansha's monthly Shonen magazine. Your Lie in April has since then been adapted into a TV anime series (2014), a Japanese live action film (2016), a Japanese stage production (2017) and now a musical (2024). There is no doubt that the journey of Your Lie in April is exceptional.

What is very apparent is that the world of Your Lie in April The Musical displays an extensive American and European influence in its style, music, song, dance routines and choreography, costumes choices and its characters’ musical preferences for the piano and the violin, which clearly, are western classical instruments. The Broadway style music composition, creative works of the talented American composer Frank Wildhorn, is simply beautiful and breathtaking and its execution in songs and on musical instruments is faultless. Lyrics are written by Carly Robyn Green and Tracy Miller. In this current climate where there is a lack of representation on and off stage, what comes to mind is the question of ‘is it a missed opportunity’ for this successful production to use the performing arts platform to promote a more authentic Japanese culture and eastern sounds rather than focusing instead on the contemporary americanised lifestyle that is, the modern Japan?

In Your Lie in April story, it is April and the cherry blossoms are falling. Romance is about to bloom between the two lead characters Kо̄ sei Arima and Kaori Miyazono. Zheng Xi Yong’s Kо̄ sei is the stereotype of east asian high achiever with straight As: shy, subdued and wearing dark rimmed glasses. Zheng Xi Yong is a virtuoso pianist and a good singer, and it was captivating to watch and listen to him as he played his piano pieces live on stage. His character Kо̄ sei is a piano prodigy winning first prizes at music competitions, but has lost his ability to hear music and perform after his mother’s death. He is befriended by a bold, free-spirited schoolmate Kaori, played by Mia Kobayashi making her professional and West End debut and smashing it with her angelic singing voice and outstanding performance. Kaori as a violinist is being performed by the musician Akiko Ishikawa who plays live on centre stage, while Mia mimes along. They are joined by their supportive schoolmates Rachel Clare Chan’s Tsubaki Sawabe and Dean John Wilson’s Ryota Watari and an ensemble of high energetic cast.

Lucy Park’s Saki as Kо̄ sei’s mother and piano teacher, appears occasionally but makes quite an impression. A former pianist herself, her disciplinarian and strict teaching methods can appear shocking, but this so happens to be a common teaching approach in many east asian societies. She insists on Theo Oh’s young Kо̄ sei practising the music score to perfection, beating him if he makes mistakes, punishing him even to the point of throwing away his first prize winning trophy, claiming that he is ‘Not good enough. Never good enough’.

Poor young Kо̄ sei grew up to be traumatised every time he attempted piano playing. Your Lie in April does have some plot lines that have not been explored fully, while there are some highly emotional moments that are heartbreaking. Overall, the show is sure to appeal to a musical theatre loving audience and with the entire cast being of east, southeast Asian or Eurasian mixed race heritage, the production is as refreshing and timely an escapism as it can be.



Review by Melanie Lam

YOUR LIE IN APRIL

The Harold Pinter Theatre

28 June – 21 September 2024

Box Office: https://www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk/shows/your-lie-in-april

Writer original manga: Naoshi Arakawa

Writer book: Riko Sakaguchi

Writer English book: Rinne b. Groff

Photos: Craig Sugden