The premiere of The Land of Might-Have-Been is underway at the Buxton International Festival before heading to us at Norwich Theatre, and we can’t wait!
The reviews are flooding in:
“One of the many achievements of Michael Williams in knitting Novello’s sentimental songs so tightly into a narrative drawn from Brittain’s morally charged memoir Testament of Youth is that the music and the words enhance one another so effectively. On their own, each would be an interesting curiosity. Together, they draw things out from each other, conjuring an effective piece of musical theatre.” The Guardian
The Land of Might-Have-Been is the brand new, spirited musical produced by Norwich Theatre and Buxton International Festival, with all the love and desire of Bridgerton, the glitz and glamour of The Great Gatsby and a story inspired by the early years of Vera Brittan, a passionate, inspirational woman.
“The Brittains’ stories – two young couples, three deaths, the inadmissible secret of Edward’s homosexuality – are agonising and tender, and there’s a lovely symmetry to using the all-but-openly-gay Novello’s music to tell a love story between men, making new sense of that yearning, bittersweet quality to so many of the songs.
“There are promising performances from the central men: Alexander Knox pulling off Roland Leighton’s lofty ideals and top notes with easy sincerity, George Arvidson all limbs and wild exuberance as Edward, Kit Esuruoso staunch as his beloved Bobbie. Conductor Iwan Davies whips all along stylishly.” iNews
With the songs of Ivor Novello – the Andrew Lloyd Webber of his day – including ‘We’ll Gather Lilacs,’ ‘Glamorous Night’ and ‘Buxton Ragtime Band’ plus additional compositions by Iain Farrington, who was recently commissioned as a composer for the King’s Coronation.
Take a look at the photos and be transported to that fun and steamy summer in 1914, where four people fall in love in a summer that would change the world.
The Land of Might-Have-Been is at Norwich Theatre Royal between 25 – 30 July. For more information or to book, head here or contact the Box Office on 01603 630 000.
“With the sadness of the title song and the ever present theme of We’ll Gather Lilacs, the energy of ragtime and plenty of humour, The Land of Might Have Been is a winning mix. The audience loved it.” The Star
