Your Lie in April The Musical opened in London at The Harold Pinter Theatre after a sell-out Musical concert held in April 2024 at Theatre Royal Drury Lane where it recieved a plethora of five-star reviews, ahead of the opening of the musical on 29th June 2024 which now runs for twelve weeks closing on Saturday 21st September 2024.

The adaptation of a favourite Japanese manga story of Kōsei Arima (Zheng Xi Yong) a piano prodigy who loses the ability to play after the death of his Mother (Lucy Park), a fierce driving force who constantly pushes him to work for perfection. He strikes up a friendship with violinist Kaori Miyazono (Mia Kobayashi) who he meets through his friend  Tsubaki Sawabe (Rachel Clare Chan) who drags him on a double date to make up the numbers as she has fixed up Ryota Watari (Dean John Wilson) with Kaori.

However, it soon becomes apparent that Kaori has more in common with Kōsei as they are both highly accomplished musicians and she slowly encourages him to perform again using her charm and passion for music, under the guise that he will be accompanying her in a competition.

Zheng Xi Yong is a highly accomplished Piano player in real life,  a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music with a grade distinction in MA in Musical Theatre and every note you hear being performed on the piano is a live performance.

Mia Kobayashi makes her professional debut in the role of Kaori Miyazono. From her performance and stage presence, it would be easy to think she was a seasoned performer and had been playing strong leads for many years.

Zheng Xi Yong and Mia Kobayashi offer the audience a believable performance of two young people trying to find their way in life through friendships, love and grief.

The story is as beautiful as the staging. From the display of Japanese Cherry blossom framing the the top of the stage to the Japanese Cherry tree on-stage. The screens at the back change backdrops from the City skylines to the Music Hall competition venue. It is visually outstanding especially when “One Hundred Thousand Million Stars” is sung and the audience are surrounded by stars across the Theatre ceiling and over the walls, you are completely immersed into the words of the song. An incredible overall visual experience produced by set designer Justin Williams, lighting designer Rory Beaton and video designer Dan Light.

Multi-grammy, Tony and Emmy award winner, Frank Wildhorn is behind the music for Your Lie In April and it is clear to understand how Wildhorn has won so many awards as the musical is incredible and some of the numbers are very moving.

Director and choreographer Nick Winston has created what deserves to be a sell-out twelve weeks for such a beautiful and strong cast in Your Lie In April where it is the first time that all the cast have one hundred per cent South East Asian Heritage.

For more information and to book tickets please use the link below. It’s one of those musicals that’s a moving experience rather than something you “just” watch and enjoy.

Five Stars.

Photo credit Craig Sugden.

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