The world premiere production of The Little Big Things, directed by Luke Sheppard, opened at @SohoPlace last September and immediately became a crowd pleaser for it’s inspirational story, landing itself a place in Theatre Weekly’s best shows of 2023. Although three tracks were released initially, it’s only now that audiences can enjoy Nick Butcher and Tom Ling’s sensational score in full with the release of the Original West End Cast Recording.
This new cast album encapsulates the essence of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of life-altering experiences. Building upon the success of the West End production, the cast album delivers a powerful emotional punch while showcasing the outstanding talent of its performers.
The Little Big Things is based on Henry Fraser’s best-selling memoir of the same name. Anyone who’s read the book will already know the inspirational story; as a promising rugby player with a real future in the game, Fraser went on his first ever ‘lad’s holiday’ with his two older brothers. A diving accident would leave Fraser paralysed from the neck down, and finding every aspect of his life changed forever.
But this is not a depressing story, far from it; the opening number ‘Never Coming Home’ is an upbeat anthem full of hope and promise that we come to realise will be fulfilled in a very different way. While ‘Feel Like This’ is another upbeat number that captures the essence of youth and the possibilities that lie ahead.
It’s not until ‘One to Seventeen’ a heartbreaking and tumultuous song, performed beautifully by Linzi Hateley, that brings Henry’s mother into sharp focus as she comes to terms with understanding that her son has been in an accident with a life changing injury.
But we’re soon back to upbeat and hopeful numbers, played impeccably by the band led by musical director Laura Bangay, ‘Work of Heart’ is a fun filled song that still manages to highlight the plight of workers in the NHS, while ‘Uma Vida’ takes the brothers back to their Portugal holiday in a number filled with excitement and Latin beats.
Ed Larkin and Jonny Amies, who both play Henry, sound incredible on the album, with both of them pouring equal measure of joy and emotion into every lyric, this is most noticeable in ‘Why’ a very poignant song that links back to ‘Feel Like This’, and the spectacular ‘Silence of the Sea’ that uses rock influences to take storytelling through song to a whole new level.
With the Original West End Cast Recording we get to hear more of the cast than those initial three songs allowed; Amy Trigg shines in the party anthem ‘The Things We Shouldn’t Do’ that sees Henry and his Mum go clubbing for the first time, or ‘Part of the Plan’ a reflective ballad which introduces us to Henry’s physiotherapist who will go on to play such an important part of his new life.
The poignancy isn’t lost with ‘Don’t Wanna Have To’ which sees the family facing up to the realities the face, which also showcases Jordan Benjamin’s superb vocals. Benjamin also leads an impressive rap in ‘Sympathy’ which shows how the Fraser family were almost torn apart.
The final three songs on the album, including the title number, are those that were originally released when the musical opened, and here they are the culmination of a truly epic cast album which captures the essential beauty of this incredible new musical.
The Little Big Things Original West End Cast Recording feels like more than just a soundtrack, it’s closer to a colourful immersive experience that invites audiences to relive the profound journey of Henry Fraser and his family.
The Little Big Things plays at @SohoPlace in London until 2nd March 2024. Tickets are on sale here.
