CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR ERICH SEGAL´S LOVE STORY
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The Chichester Festival Theatre production of **Love Story** will transfer to the West End previewing at the [**Duchess Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/50/Duchess-Theatre.aspx) from 27 November. The West End cast includes **Emma Williams** as Jenny, **Michael Xavier** as Oliver Barratt IV and **Peter Polycarpou** who plays Jenny’s father, Phil, all of whom reprise their roles at the [**Duchess Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/50/Duchess-Theatre.aspx).
They are joined by **Richard Cordery**, **Gary Milner**, **Paul Kemble** and ensemble members **Lillie Flynn**, **Christopher Killick**, **Jamie Muscato** and **Rebecca Trehearn**.
This new musical version of [**Love Story**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/event/850/Love-Story-tickets.aspx), inspired by **Erich Segal**’s novel, is directed by **Rachel Kavanaugh**, with music by **Howard Goodall**, book by **Stephen Clark** and lyrics by **Stephen Clark** and **Howard Goodall**.
**Erich Segal**’s best-selling novel, **Love Story**, became one of the most romantic films of all time, has sold over 21 million copies world-wide and has been published in 33 languages.
Olivier award nominated **Emma Williams**, made her **West End** debut as Truly Scrumptious in the original cast of **Chitty Chitty Bang Bang**, when she co-starred with Love Story Producer **Michael Ball**. Subsequently she has been seen on stage in **Desperately Seeking Susan** at the [**Novello Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/76/Novello-Theatre.aspx) in which she played the title role, Zorro at the [**Garrick Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/32/Garrick-Theatre.aspx) and A Model Girl for **Greenwich Theatre**.
**Michael Xavier** was last seen as Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince in **Into The Woods** at **Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre** earlier this year. Previously his many musical theatre credits include Curly in **Oklahoma** for **Chichester Festival Theatre**, Sir Galahad in **Spamalot** at the [**Palace Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/8/Palace-Theatre.aspx), Raoul in **Phantom of the Opera**, Freddy in **My Fair Lady** at the [**Theatre Royal Drury Lane**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/11/Theatre-Royal-Drury-Lane.aspx) and Sky in **Mamma Mia** on tour nationally.
**Peter Polycarpou**’s extensive theatre credits include Ebenezer Scrooge in **A Christmas Carol** for **Birmingham Rep**, Cheche in **Anna in the Tropics** and Comical Ali/God/Osama Bin Laden in **Follow My Leader** for **Hampstead Theatre** and Oscar Maddison in **The Odd Couple** and Roy Cohn in **Angels in America** both for **Manchester Library Theatre**. He also played the title role in [**The Phantom of the Opera**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/event/13/Phantom-of-The-Opera-tickets.aspx) at [**Her Majesty’s Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/13/Her-Majesty-s-Theatre.aspx), The Childcatcher in **Chitty Chitty Bang Bang** at the [**London Palladium**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/4/London-Palladium.aspx), Thenardier in **Les Miserables** for the **Royal Shakespeare Company** and Ali Hakim in **Oklahoma ** for the **National Theatre**.
**Love Story** is directed by **Rachel Kavanaugh**, Artistic Director of **Birmingham Repertory Theatre** where her many credits include **Hapgood**, **Peter Pan – A Musical Adventure** and **Uncle Vanya**.