The Time Traveller's Wife (musical)

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The Time Traveller's Wife
The Time Traveller's Wife musical artwork.jpg
Artwork for the West End production
Music Joss Stone
Dave Stewart
Nick Finlow (additional)
Lyrics Joss Stone
Dave Stewart
Kait Kerrigan (additional)
Book Lauren Gunderson
Basis The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
2009 film by Bruce Joel Rubin
Productions2022 Chester
2023 West End

The Time Traveller's Wife is a stage musical with a book by Lauren Gunderson and music and lyrics by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart (with additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan and additional music by Nick Finlow), based on the novel by Audrey Niffenegger and the 2009 film.

Contents

Background

A stage musical based on the book was announced to be in development in March 2021, which was due to premiere in the UK in late 2021 or early 2022. The musical is titled The Time Traveller's Wife and features a book by Lauren Gunderson music and lyrics by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart with additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan. The production is directed by Bill Buckhurst and produced by Colin Ingram for InTheatre Productions by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures. [1]

In response to the announcement, Niffeneger revealed on Twitter she did not know about the project and then clarified that the theatrical rights belonged to Warner Bros. [2]

Production history

Chester (2022)

The stage musical premiered at Storyhouse in Chester running from 30 September to 15 October 2022. The production was directed by Bill Buckhurst and designed by Anna Fleischle, with choreography by Shelley Maxwell, lighting design by Lucy Carter, illusions by Chris Fisher, video design by Andrzej Goulding, sound design by Richard Brooker, musical supervision & arrangement by Nick Finlow and orchestrations by Bryan Crook.

The cast included David Hunter as Henry with Joanna Woodward as Clare. [3]

West End (2023)

On 8 February 2023, it was announced that the production will transfer to the Apollo Theatre in London's West End. The show began previews from 7 October 2023 with opening night planned for 1 November 2023. Hunter and Woodward reprise their roles as Henry and Clare. Dawes, Elchikhe, and Mahendran also returned as Henry's Dad, Charisse, and Gomez respectively. [4] Originally scheduled to run until 30 March 2024, it was announced that the show will close on 24 February 2024. [5]

Musical Numbers

Cast and characters

CharactersChesterWest End [6]
20222023
Henry David Hunter
Clare Joanna Woodward
Dr KendrickAisha DavisHelena Pipe
Henry's DadRoss Dawes
Charisse Hiba Elchikhe
Clare's DadStevie HutchinsonIrfan Damani
GomezTim Mahendran
Henry's MumSorelle Marsh
Jason / MarkBenjamin PurkissAlex Lodge
Old ClareAlwyne Taylor
Young Clare/AlbaEva Johnson
Eve Corbishley
Phoebe Cheffings
Ava Critchell
Lily Hanna
Poppy Pawson
Holly-Jade Roberts

Awards and Nominations

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2024 WhatsOnStage Awards [7] Best New MusicalNominated
Best Lighting DesignRory Beaton & Lucy CarterNominated
Best Video DesignAndrzej GouldingNominated

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References

  1. "New Musical The Time Traveller's Wife, Based on the Best-Selling Book, to Premiere in the U.K." Broadway.com. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  2. Niffenegger, Audrey [@AANiffenegger] (March 5, 2021). "To clarify: the theatrical rights belong to Warner, not me. The people making this musical have been working with Warner, and there are no copyright infringement issues here! I was just taken by surprise; I think they all thought someone else was in charge of letting me know?" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2023 via Twitter.
  3. Thomas, Sophie (2022-08-16). "David Hunter and Joanna Woodward to lead 'The Time Traveller's Wife: The Musical'". London Theatre. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  4. Cashell, Eleni (2023-03-28). "Further casting announced for THE TIME TRAVELLER'S WIFE: THE MUSICAL". London Box Office. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  5. "The Time Traveller's Wife musical to close early at the West End's Apollo Theatre | West End Theatre". www.westendtheatre.com. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  6. "Cast & Creative - The Time Traveller's Wife | Official Play Website". timetravellerswife.com/. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  7. "Nominations in full: 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards". 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2023-12-10.