They're Playing Our Song
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They're Playing Our Song: A West End Romantic Hit
"They're Playing Our Song" premiered in London’s West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre on October 1, 1980, following previews from September 20, and ran for nearly two years, closing on May 8, 1982, after 782 performances. With a book by Neil Simon, music by Marvin Hamlisch, and lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, this musical comedy directed by David Taylor and produced by Emanuel Azenberg drew from Hamlisch and Sager’s real-life romance. Starring Tom Conti and Gemma Craven, who won a 1980 Laurence Olivier Award for Actress of the Year in a Musical, it became the theatre’s most successful show of that era. Its intimate, two-character focus, backed by a Greek chorus of inner voices, offered a fresh twist on musical theatre, delighting audiences with its wit and warmth.
A Composer and Lyricist’s Love Story
The plot centers on Vernon Gersch, a successful but neurotic composer, who hires Sonia Walsk, an eccentric lyricist struggling to end a toxic relationship with her ex, Leon. Their first meeting at Vernon’s Manhattan apartment where she marvels at his lightweight Oscar sparks a rocky collaboration. As they work on songs, personal clashes flare: Sonia’s chronic lateness and emotional baggage irk Vernon’s orderly world. From a disastrous dinner at “Le Club” to a reconciliatory dance, their professional partnership blooms into romance. After trials involving Leon’s lingering shadow and their own quirks, they find harmony, crafting a love song and life together, a semi-autobiographical nod to Hamlisch and Sager’s own journey.
Music That Strikes a Chord
Marvin Hamlisch’s score, with Carole Bayer Sager’s lyrics, blends pop sensibility with Broadway charm, featuring numbers like “Fallin’,” “If He Really Knew Me,” and the title track “They’re Playing Our Song.” The intimate setup no big production numbers relies on a piano-driven sound, conducted by Fran Liebergall, with standout moments like Sonia’s “Just for Tonight” and the duet “Right.” A London cast recording on the Chopper label captures the original magic, though the score never produced lasting hits beyond its titular tune. Critics lauded its melodic appeal, a bridge between 1970s pop and theatrical tradition, perfectly suiting the show’s personal scale.
A Cast of West End Stars
Tom Conti led as Vernon Gersch, his dry wit grounding the composer’s ego, while Gemma Craven’s Sonia Walsk earned her an Olivier for her quirky, heartfelt portrayal. The six “Inner Voices” three men for Vernon, three women for Sonia, including Deena Payne amplified their neuroses with vocal flair. Replacements like Martin Shaw and Diana Terry kept the run vibrant, supported by Lani Sundsten’s choreography and Douglas W. Schmidt’s innovative projections. Conti and Craven’s chemistry, under Taylor’s direction, drove the show’s nearly two-year success, their interplay a highlight of this chamber musical’s intimate staging.
A West End Chamber Classic
After a 1978 Los Angeles premiere and a 1,082-performance Broadway run, "They’re Playing Our Song" brought its unique form a two-hander with a chorus to the West End, outpacing peers like "Barnum" in its Shaftesbury tenure. Its 1980 Olivier nod for Musical of the Year and Craven’s win underscored its impact, though it hasn’t seen a major London revival since 1982 save a 2008 Menier Chocolate Factory staging with Alistair McGowan and Connie Fisher. A 2024 Málaga production directed by Antonio Banderas hints at its enduring appeal. As of March 2025, it remains a cherished snapshot of West End romance, its simplicity and star power a timeless draw.