Zheng Xi Yong, known for his roles in Spring Awakening and the recent hit movie Barbie, is set to star in the West End premiere of Your Lie in April at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
This highly anticipated musical adaptation of the beloved manga tells the poignant story of a young piano prodigy rediscovering his passion for music. The show features music by acclaimed composer Frank Wildhorn and is directed by Nick Winston.
Your Lie in April will run from June 28 to September 21, with tickets available now.
You’re starring in Your Lie in April at the Harold Pinter Theatre. What can you tell us about the show?
Your Lie in April is a brand-new musical that tells the story of a young piano prodigy who loses his ability to hear music after his mother’s death, but his life changes when he meets an eccentric violinist.
With a touching and inspiring story, it features a beautiful score written by multi-award-winning composer Frank Wildhorn who has seamlessly infused pop and musical theatre with real classical repertoire. The show also features an abundance of actual live piano playing, which is a first of its kind.
How does it feel to reprise your role as Kōsei Arima in this fully staged West End premiere?
After watching the anime, I fell in love with the story and the characters, and even more so through the concert, so it feels like a dream to be able to revisit it. With a longer rehearsal period and a longer run, it’s given me the opportunity to delve deeper into the role, revisit choices I made, and improve my performance in every way.
It’s a complex role that deals with a wide range of experiences and emotions and requires a lot of discipline and brain space to be on top of the acting, singing, and piano playing and movement all simultaneously. I’m both terrified and excited.
The show has a rich history, from manga to anime and now a musical. How do you think this adaptation will resonate with audiences?
Ultimately, regardless of the medium in which the story has lived, at its very core it is a beautiful story about the power of music and how human connection can heal us from trauma, inspire us, and make us better people – themes which everyone can relate to. It’ll also introduce fans of classical music, musical theatre, manga and anime, Japanese culture, or perhaps even none of these, to each other’s genre or culture.
What has it been like working with the creative team, including director Nick Winston and composer Frank Wildhorn?
The Your Lie in April creative team is filled with talented and passionate people, so the process has been a joy. As an actor, I find it important that creatives are open to collaboration and that we have mutual trust. Director Nick Winston and Composer Frank Wildhorn very much embody these qualities and I hugely respect their talent and wealth of experience. They’ve also been encouraging, supportive, and caring, so I have a lot of gratitude towards them.
Can you share any memorable moments or challenges you’ve faced during the earlier concert production?
The whole rehearsal process for the concert was a challenge just because of what we were aiming to achieve within the span of 2 weeks. Our learning speed had to be incredibly fast, and to deliver 3 shows back-to-back with limited tech time, especially when the role was so demanding in every way, pushed me beyond what I had ever done.
To top it off, I caught strep bang in the middle of the 2 week rehearsal period, and was still rehearsing everyday even though I was on antibiotics. I came to rehearsal with a face mask, and since the infection was above my larynx, I still sang over those days despite the pain in my tonsils.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Your Lie in April?
It sounds like an overused phrase but believe me when I say it’s genuinely nothing the West End has seen before. Come find out for yourself!
