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Captures the essence of the original manga but struggles with character depth and emotional impact.Summary
Rating
Good
Your Lie in April is a Japanese romantic drama manga series, written and illustrated by Naoshi Arakawa and released in 2011. It tells the story of fourteen-year-old piano prodigy Kōsei Arima (Zheng Xi Yong), who is famous for winning music competitions, but suffers a mental breakdown and loses the ability to hear his piano after his mother dies. Two years later, he meets Kaori Miyazonon (Mia Kobayashi), a lively violinist who helps him regain his passion for piano.
The stage adaptation has its strengths and weaknesses. The design captures the essence and nostalgia of classic manga series like Sailor Moon and Naruto, through elements such as cherry blossom trees and the streets of Japan, designed by Justin Williams, and beautifully crafted costumes by Kimie Nakano. The underwater lighting designed by Rory Beaton is captivating and adds a unique visual element to the performance. However, some elements don’t quite fit; the sound is occasionally too loud, overpowering the dialogue, and some set pieces, like the rudimentary chairs, feel disjointed from the overall staging.
The play evokes the teenage spirit reminiscent of High School Musical at times, as in the number This Is Our Time, which is particularly lively and enjoyable. Some songs feel unnecessary and redundant, adding little depth to the story, and could be replaced with dialogue to enhance the narrative. The musical score, more akin to Disney films like Frozen or Pocahontas, fails to transport the audience to Japan, missing an opportunity to create an authentic atmosphere.
The play also leans heavily on the stereotypes of the tortured artist and the manic pixie dream girl, which undermines the actors’ efforts to bring depth to their roles. While it captures some of the anime’s essence, the adaptation struggles to translate it effectively to the stage, often focusing on glossy, joyful moments at the expense of the underlying darkness and tension. Some scenes feel more like a sitcom, with laughs seeming too timed, and the opening lacks impact, with some moments feeling off-key, whilst the introduction of Kōsei’s mother’s death could be more poignant and effectively portrayed throughout the show. The writing seems to favour secondary characters, Ryōta Watari (Dean John Wilson) and Tsubaki Sawabe (Rachel Clare Chan) making them more relatable and endearing than the leads. As Kōsei’s friend, Ryōta Watari, Wilson’s nuanced performance reveals the big heart beneath a lot of overconfidence and humour.
Ultimately, the play falls short of fully developing the relationships between character and fails to provide a satisfying payoff. The extent of Kaori’s condition is not clearly understood, leaving the ending lacking the necessary emotional punch. With some refinement, particularly in character development and musical choices, Your Lie in April could better capture the heart of the original manga.
Based on the Manga by Naoshi Arakawa
Music by: Frank Wildhorn
Arrangement and Orchestration by: Jason Howland
Director and Choreographer: Nick Winston
Set Designer: Justin Williams
Costume Design by: Kimie Nakano
Lighting by: Rory Beaton
Your Lie in April plays at Harold Pinter’s Theatre until the 21st of September 2024. Further information and bookings can be found here.
