Emma Williams and Michael Xavier to Star in the West End's Love Story

Emma Williams and Michael Xavier will star as young lovers Jenny and Oliver Barratt IV in the previously announced West End musical adaptation of the popular Erich Segal novel Love Story. Peter Polycarpou will play Jenny's father, Phil. Williams, Xavier and Polycarpou are all reprising their roles from the show's debut at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Love Story is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and features music by Howard Goodall, a book by Stephen Clark and lyrics from Clark and Goodall. Performances begin November 27 with opening night set for December 6 at the Duchess Theatre.

Williams' previous West End credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Desperately Seeking Susan and Zorro. Xavier has appeared in Oklahoma, Into the Woods, Spamalot, Mamma Mia!, My Fair Lady and Phantom of the Opera. Polycarpou's theater creidts include A Christmas Carol, The Phantom of the Opera, Chitty Chitty Band Bang, Anna in the Tropics and Angels in America.

The cast will also feature Richard Cordery, Gary Milner, Paul Kemble, Lillie Flynn, Chirstopher Killick, Jamie Muscato and Rebecca Trehearn. The show will feature set design by Peter McKintosh, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Matt McKenzie, musical direction by Stephen Ridley and musical staging by Lizzi Gee.

Love Story brings Segal’s touching tale of mismatched affection to the stage. The show tells the story of Oliver Barrett IV, a rich Harvard alum with an affinity for sports, and Jenny Cavilleri, a poor musician. The story of their unlikely romance has sold over 21 million copies in print, and was adapted into an Academy Award-winning motion picture, starring Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw in 1970. Love Story is produced by stage star Michael Ball (making his producing debut) in association with Adam Spiegel and Stephen Waley-Cohen.