One Day: The Musical at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh*****

The Lyceum Theatre itself has a starring role in its latest production!

With the stalls removed and raked seating on the stage, Rae Smith has created an exciting space for David Nicholls’ iconic story to unfold, giving audiences the chance to feel part of the action.

Emma and Dexter meet in 1988 on the day they graduate from Edinburgh University. It’s St Swithin’s Day, and they vow to go on meeting on that day every year. 

Former artistic director at the Lyceum, David Greig’s retelling of Nicholls’ story under Max Webster’s direction is vibrant, engaging, heartwarming and poignant as we follow the lives of the two protagonists and their fellow graduates, through jobs and relationships over 25 years. 

The company is strongly led by Jamie Muscato and Sharon Rose, who have both graced many West End stages. Muscato who, I’m sure has been told many times, is a dead ringer for Hugh Grant and is perfect for the part of the posh boy whose path in life, though at times glamorous, takes him down quite a few dark alleys. On the other hand, Rose’s working class Emma’s journey is inspiring, and the two together have a great chemistry which makes us totally believe in them and feel for them when things get tough. This being a musical, they also deliver song wise, bringing Abner and Amanda Ramirez’s music and lyrics to life, whether it’s with heartfelt vulnerability or belting out party pop.

A cast of around a dozen complement the leads, developing from excitable, loud graduates to grown ups with responsibilities, The one stand-out is Dan Buckley who, as Ian, is the comedian in the pack, whether he is making people laugh with him or at him. Awkward but thoroughly good, his portrayal takes the humour which runs throughout the musical to a different level.

With the amount of work it has obviously taken to stage this production I can’t see it going on tour, but London’s West End must surely be on the cards.

Image: Mihaela Bodlovic

One Day: The Musical is at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh until April 19

lyceum.org.uk