Love Life – Leeds Grand Theatre

Writers: Alan Jay Lerner and Kurt Weill

Director: Matthew Eberhardt

Conductor: James Holmes

The slick promotional visuals and stylish artwork for Opera North’s Love Life may trick many into thinking that this is a new musical, when in fact this lesser known show by Alan Jay Lerner (of Lerner and Loewe fame) and Kurt Weill (best known for collaborating with Bertolt Brecht to create the Threepenny Opera), first opened on Broadway way back in 1948.

It is a concept musical, which at its time heralded a new approach to telling stories on stage, a fragmented narrative that, while still chronological, jumps forward through time though its main characters never age. It is absolutely clear that this musical laid the foundations for many popular Broadway shows including Follies, Chicago and even Cabaret.

The story is of a marriage, of Sam and Susan Cooper and their children. Their love story is played out in vignettes across 157 years of American history, encompassing the building of the railroads, prohibition and the Suffragette movement, along with the more mundane elements of family life – the struggle over which radio programme to listen to and having to go off to work at a factory each day. Each scene is a reflection of the ever-changing society and the pressures put on a relationship by those changes.

Scenes are topped and tailed with Vaudeville acts, a trio, quartet or larger that tends to provide comment on the scene that has gone before. Subtle comedic and tragic messages are conveyed through beautiful harmonies, the occasional dance routine and perfect acapella timing.

This is Opera North at its absolute best – putting their stamp on a show and bringing it to life, thanks to Director Matthew Eberhardt, Choreographer Will Tuckett and their team. Vocals were, of course, outstanding throughout, none more so than the outstanding Stephanie Corley who shone in the role of Susan, her expressive face telling us just as much as her words and songs. She was paired perfectly with the excellent Quirijn de Lang as Sam and they played an everyday American couple perfectly.

This really is an ensemble show, bar the four main characters. The rest of the cast takes on a number of different roles throughout the show, from residents of the sleepy town of Mayville to Vaudeville singers and illusionists. There are plenty of solo lines going, and these are well distributed, with not a single weak voice or character performance amongst them.

One of the most impressive elements of the show is the inclusion of the Orchestra of Opera North on stage throughout. Watching this incredible 30 plus group of talented musicians play consistently beautiful music under the gaze of Conductor James Holmes was an absolute privilege.

It was truly a workout for the orchestra. There is such a variety of musical styles in this show, moving from polkas and waltzes at the outset, through swing songs and cheeky Vaudeville numbers, to a huge boogie-woogie number which Susan sings towards the end, framed by a spectacular set created from scaffolding and theatre curtains.

Comedy, music, dancing (with Holly Saw and Max Westwell providing the majority of dance routines) and even magic, this show has it all and it is great news that BBC Radio Three were recording the show’s first night so that an audience of a great many more can enjoy this beautifully put together production.

Runs until Saturday 18th January 2025.