Last Updated on September 30, 2024
Lloyd-Webber’s Bohemian Rhapsody
The stars came out last night in the West End for director Jonathan Kent’s revival of Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s hit musical Aspects of Love. The original production was a 1980s take on the 1940s, but how does it resonate in today’s world?
Along with its glorious melodies and star turns, the story of Aspects of Love, taken from David Garnett’s 1955 novella, features a series of passionate bohemian cross-generational romances that some will see as charming, but which may be viewed less charitably by a younger audience.
The show is a chamber piece which explores various facets of love through the lives of the five main protagonists who are ensnared in a web of interconnected and rotating relationships. Set in France and Italy, the narrative follows the journey of a young, flighty and ambitious actress, Rose Vibert, played with captivating poise by Laura Pitt-Pulford; it tells the story of her romantic entanglements with three different men who she powerfully manipulates over the course of seventeen years.
Alex Dillingham (truthfully portrayed by Jamie Bogyo) is an insecure eighteen-year-old and a besotted fan of Rose. He falls rapidly under the actress’s spell, inviting her to stay in his uncle’s house in Pau, a beautiful setting in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The pair embark on a passionate love affair, one that goes on to change the course of both of their lives. However, when Rose is introduced to Alex’s uncle Sir George Dillingham, a renowned and wealthy art forger, she quickly falls for the older man, seduced by his wealth and searching for security. They marry and go on to have one daughter Jenny (Anna Unwin) who in following years provides a remarkably young love interest for Alex, which from a contemporary perspective made this reviewer and certain sections of the audience feel audibly uneasy. Their relations create further romantic complications and add to the tangled web of love.
George is portrayed by the incomparable Michael Ball, the instigator of this revival. Ball played the role of young Alex in the world premiere of Aspects of Love back in 1989 and his depiction of George in this production is a testament to his incredible versatility. Ball brings a wealth of experience, his remarkable voice and emotional depth to the role of George. (If you are a fan of Ball it’s worth checking his performance dates before you book as he is alternating the role with West End star Dave Willetts).
George’s mistress, a beautiful and free-spirited Italian sculptress Giulietta Trapani, is played by glamorous opera star Danielle De Niese, the wife of the Executive Chairman of the Glyndebourne Festival. There has been some controversy over De Niese’s decision to take the part, after dropping her leading role at Glyndebourne this summer in favour of Aspects of Love. But Glyndebourne’s loss is this shows gain, as De Niese’s voice is phenomenal and she perfectly captures Giulietta’s bohemian charm. Giulietta adds another twist to the complexities of the plot with the suggestion of mutual attraction between her and Rose when they have a full-on snog at George’s wake.
The cross-generational love themes are uncomfortable and even creepy at times. A scene between pubescent Jenny and Alex feels wrong as does George’s infatuation and obsessive jealousy over his teenage daughter.
But putting this aside the production values are magnificent, and the sets designed by world-renowned opera and ballet designer John Macfarlane, are absolutely breathtaking. Exquisite hand-painted backdrops provide remarkable depth, and evocative black and white still projections transport you directly to Paris, Venice and Pau giving the transitions an episodic, filmic quality.
Aspects of Love may not sit well with the younger generation, however splendid showmanship and a hugely popular score, with the recurring musical numbers ‘Love Changes Everything’ and ‘Seeing is Believing’ will undoubtedly still have its pull. And the Michael Ball fans will be arriving in their coach loads!
Aspects of Love
Lyric Theatre
29 Shaftesbury Avenue
London W1D 7ES
SATURDAY 13 MAY 2023 – SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2023
Show Times Monday – Saturday, 7.30 pm Wednesday & Saturday, 2.30 pm *Please note Michael Ball will not perform on Monday performances from 29 May onwards. From 5 June the role of George will be played on Mondays by Dave Willetts.
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