The Go-Between
The Go-Between
Musical theatre icon and Tony and Olivier Award-winner Michael Crawford stars in a gripping stage adaptation of L.P. Hartley’s novel The Go-Between.
Some memories burn brighter than others. A now elderly Leo Colston (Crawford) finds himself thinking back to one long, hot summer. The year is 1900 and schoolboy Leo is spending his summer vacation with wealthy classmate Marcus Maudsley and his family.
Captivated by his surroundings, the guileless Leo soon finds himself playing go-between to tenant-farmer Ted and the stunning and affluent Marian who are locked in a forbidden love affair. As he becomes increasingly enmeshed in the manipulation and lies of the adults around him, young Leo is not yet fully aware of what he is risking.
A stirring coming of age story, The Go-Between has been adapted several times for the stage and screen, notably by the BBC in a critically-acclaimed television production. Now coming to London’s West End, this contemporary British musical left audiences spell-bound when it premièred at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, winning Best Musical Production at the 2012 UK Theatre Awards.
Adapted by Richard Taylor and David Wood, The Go-Between has been hailed a modern musical triumph thanks to its sophisticated score (the ballad ‘Butterfly’ was performed at ‘The Great British Musical’ gala concert) and its richly layered with subtle storytelling.
Profoundly moving and unflinchingly honest, The Go-Between masterfully presents all the anguish of lost love and lost innocence in what is sure to be one of the most passionate and affecting productions you will see this year.
Playing at the Apollo Theatre from May 2016, don’t miss your chance to see this 'achingly beautiful' (The Guardian) musical.
Book your tickets to The Go-Between today!
Click here to read our interview with Olivier Award winning writer, David Wood!
- Cast
Michael Crawford, Gemma Sutton, Stuart Ward, Issy van Randwyck.
- Duration
2 hours and 20 mins
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds or exchange after purchase.
- How Does It Work
You will receive a confirmation email with your booking reference.
If you choose collect at box office please print this and bring it with you on the day of the show a minimum of 30 minutes before the performance start time.
If you choose post - tickets are usually sent 5 days after purchase.- Where Do I Go
Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES.
By Tube-Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo, Piccadilly)
By Bus-1, 14, 19, 22, 24, 29, 38, 55, 176
Reviews
Robin
Oct 19, 2016
Unfortunately our party of seven were not enthralled with this musical. Although well acted with a pretty good set the music was unexciting and monotonous. There were no highlights that lifted the audience and we all felt very flat throughout.
TonyL
Oct 17, 2016
Fabulous storyline but failed to move me on the music front.
star
Oct 16, 2016
This was a very moving story and Michael Crawford played the part very very well and you could see how powerfully this story line was for him and the young boy acting with him. Well done to all a great show.
Michele
Oct 16, 2016
This was an amazing show. The cast were great, superbly led by Michael Crawford.
Theatre fan
Oct 16, 2016
Brilliant adaptation of a classic story. The cast were all good but Michael Crawford and the young Leo were excellent.
Louise Muckleston
Oct 16, 2016
I've seen the show twice and went for the third time for the last matinee yesterday, it was wonderful. Such a great cast and great story. I have admired Michael Crawford for 40 years when I first saw him on tv. He was great then and is still an amazing performer. This was the first show that I've seen in a theatre and have enjoyed every experience.
Jerney
Oct 16, 2016
I saw the show twice, on Sept 19th and again the last dat of the run and both times I was in awe of the hard work all actors on stage did. Ive seen the show with all 4 young lads who played Young Leo and it was just breathtaking how well these lads really got into their role as Leo. Michael Crawford was just beyond believe yesterday- what a performance! His voice is still very strong and this showed well during the 2.5hours on stage. I'd an amazing time and look forward to Michael crawford's future plans
David Jeyes
Oct 15, 2016
Superb; astonishing, up there with one of the most wonderful theatrical experiences we have ever had, and we are regular theatre go-ers. Still thinking and talking about it weeks after the event-- how did Michael Crawford get tears rolling down his face?!?! Thank you so much, David Jeyes
Lynda
Oct 13, 2016
We were captivated by M C's performance. His voice is beautiful. The cast portrayed this love story with gusto.. a very enjoyable afternoon!
Jamie Price
Oct 13, 2016
My son Jamie Price starred as Marcus in the 1st version of The Go-Between - the musical by Richard Taylor at the Pleasance Theatre. This is his review.. I feel honoured to have played a small part in this - yes, it is very different from the 1st version 17 yrs ago but the score by Richard Taylor shines through every scene and Michael Crawford as the adult Leo works perfectly. It was truly wonderful to see this performance in the West End where it belongs. Jamie Price
Elaine Emery
Oct 13, 2016
Amazing performance by all especially from Michael Crawford and the boy who played the young Leo. Spellbound from the word go was sorry when it ended. Gripping story performed by all the cast. Piano player magnificent throughout
Marilyn
Oct 13, 2016
Didn't quite know what to expect as I didn't know if it was a play or musical . Also I wanted to see Michael Crawford
Elaine Clark
Oct 11, 2016
I was completely blown away by the amazing performance from all members of the cast. I was absorbed by the emotional and heart felt acting, such a powerful experience. Highly recommended.
Bernadette Kenna
Oct 11, 2016
Excellent
Celia
Oct 11, 2016
A very touching adaptation of the novel! Michael Crawford's superb interpretation makes it even better! Really worth seeing!!
Glennis
Oct 10, 2016
The cast were excellent but I felt that the storyline was without any real purpose. Also I didnt like the fact it was a musical as the words should have been spoken it would have been much easier to understand.
n/a
Oct 9, 2016
brilliant musical, recommended
Barbara
Oct 9, 2016
I'm a fan of Michael Crawford & was delighted to be able to see him in the west end. The young boy who played Leo as a child was very talented
Tim
Oct 8, 2016
An excellent play with a great story and very well performed
Dillyj
Oct 6, 2016
Loved the book and was eager to see the show. Michael Crawford was brilliant and the young Leo also was well played with a stunning voice. Marcus was very wooden and not convincing. The singing and music helped to create an atmosphere but overall there was far too much climbing over chairs, difficult moving around on stage. It appeared very amateurish, lacked cohesion and did not capture the beauty of the text. Sadly disappointed.
Phil Armand
Oct 6, 2016
Great musical performance by all the actors, Loved all the twist and turns, makes you think just how quickly life goes by and how we all love good memories from the past which will come back in the future. Great show go see it. Michael Crawford was a perfect casting choice, I could feel his emotions from his expressions.
Trish Francis
Oct 4, 2016
Emotional story of complicated relationships, Michael Crawford has lost none of his acting prowess and is superb in this production. Ably supported by a strong cast including the talented children. Loved it.
Patricia
Oct 3, 2016
This was a really different take on a well known story. Excellent cast...could hear every word and engrossing from the start. Children were amazing and the whole cast captured the era.
Judith doughty
Oct 2, 2016
Absolutely mesmerising performance from Michael Crawford, it was hard to take your eyes off Michael due to his magnetic presence on stage, and the range of emotions that he went through, as the story unfolded. The supporting cast were terrific particularly Ted and Trimmingham. Would highly recommend that you see this show.
Mick
Oct 2, 2016
Bit boring Michael was fantastic
Paul and Sandy Webb (NZ)
Oct 1, 2016
It was a very entertaining story that twisted and turned as it revealed it's true meaning at the very end. Michael was simply brilliant but could only manage the first half (shame, but we hope he made a full recovery to delight other audiences), but his understudy was good as well.
Simonared
Oct 1, 2016
Engrossing story, interesting presentation, and a wonderful vehicle for an aging Michael Crawford. Fast moving with a fine tight script and slick staging and simply great acting and loved the viscount. Although I remembered the film, the stage show brought it all back powerfully. I felt I had seen good theatre, and been well entertained, what more can one ask ?
Carol Valles
Sep 30, 2016
I was a little disappointment I mainly wanted to see Micheal Crawford as we don!t get him in Australia, so I went a long to see him on stage! He didn't! Sing much, or act I suppose that was his role.
Robert
Sep 29, 2016
This is a most charming production, with wonderful harmonies. Maybe slightly slow to start but well worth going to see.
Get well soon Mr Crawford
Sep 29, 2016
We chose to see this show as my wife is a fan of Michael Crawford and having seen him perform in Phantom and Barnum, wanted to see his full return to the west end, hence this special trip to London. Unfortunately due to ill health Mr Crawford was unable to perform his role for the second half of the performance. The musical score and performance of this story are excellent, hence this rating but would of been a 5 had Mr Crawford been well for the full performance. We hope he has recovered so other fans can still see and hear how good he is.
Suzi Mack
Sep 28, 2016
A wonderful production of a classic novel. Great scenery as a backdrop for an excellent production with Michael Crawford as amazing as ever
Beth Gibson
Sep 27, 2016
Fantastic production value. Great acting and singing by all. In particular, the young boys did an outstanding job! Too bad Mixhael Crawford left at the intermission. I can't help feeling that he didn't want to play to such a small house that night as the theatre was only half full on the main floor and empty up above. Our luck that was his understudy was better than he. He took over and put a depth of emotion lacking in the first half and was a superior vocalist.
M,
Sep 25, 2016
At first I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy the play. There seemed to be lots of characters standing around in the gloomy atmosphere and I thought it must be very boring for them to be there as there wasn't much action for them to begin with. However, as the drama of the play intensified, you were carried along by it and the whole thing was enthralling. Michael Crawford's performance was outstanding as was that of the boy who played the young Leo (Luka Green on the day I was there I believe). The way that the younger and older Leo's were in step with each other was so cleverly done. Michael Crawford was on stage throughout and was magnificent. His singing was truly memorable. An excellent and very enjoyable production.
Beverlyann
Sep 25, 2016
I thought the storyline and acting was good. However, sadly, I did not like the solo piano or the songs.
Robert Sandall
Sep 24, 2016
From the design and costumes, the musical accompaniment (a grand piano) and the superb singing and acting this show was such a treat. It made my partner and I think this beautifully crafted chamber piece "could be by Mr Sondheim". Marcus and Leo were played, respectively, and brilliantly by Archie Stevens and Luka Green - we were blown away by the talent of these two young players. But the cast was uniformly strong and Michael Crawford gave a wonderfully touching turn as the older Leo haunted by the ghosts of his past - he can certainly still hold a stage - and he is pretty well on stage for most of the time too. We cannot believe this show, in a city of 8.5 million people, isn't finding an audience? It is after all one of the very best currently playing in the West End and beyond. We hope a miracle happens and it does pick-up the business and the producers change their minds about closing it.
Michael Burgess
Sep 22, 2016
'The Go-Between' is one of the most moving, haunting and beautiful events I have been to in London. Congratulations to Michael Crawford and a wonderful cast, and to all involved in the production. Not to be missed.
deborah
Sep 22, 2016
Fabulous show not disappointed the facial expressions told the story. It was a great story.
eva
Sep 22, 2016
simply excellent!
Sylvia
Sep 19, 2016
The Go-Between on Saturday night (17.9.16) was totally brilliant! Excellent acting from every character, especially the hugely talented Michael Crawford and the young actor playing his younger self. The simple set was very cleverly designed; the musical score was great and the singing from everyone was note perfect. The whole story unfolded with a gradual build up of tension - and the final scene was spellbinding. Go and see it - it's superb!!
Anne Scarlett
Sep 19, 2016
The Apollo theatre is a small Edwardian theatre making it feel very intimate and as if the cast are speaking to you personally. Michael Crawford was amazing and completely drew you in to the story. The cast were excellent and complimented each other. The storyline and music were very clever with humour, sadness, joy. The pianist was fantastic sat in the corner of the stage but not taking away from the show. Fantastic show.
Jan
Sep 18, 2016
Stunning performances esp Michael Crawford, Gemma Sutton, Stewart Ward and the young boys. Very simple yet clever set design and story telling techniques, and beautiful music. A very memorable evening.
Mhandley
Sep 18, 2016
Yet another side to Michael Crawford the consummate actor. I thoroughly enjoyed this different piece of theatre I found it intriguing the young boy Leo has a great future in theatre ahead of him
Carole
Sep 17, 2016
Fantastic show! All the cast were excellent, but seeing Michael Crawford and hearing him sing was just mega! Go and see it before it finishes.
Mavis
Sep 15, 2016
Michael Crawford and the young boys were excellent but I wasn't very keen on the music and the singing. Difficult to hear the dialogue and to follow the story.
Nigel
Sep 14, 2016
A thoroughly enjoyable evening, this is a masterful piece of story telling that develops throughout the production. The partnership formed between Michael Crawford (Colston) and Johnny (young Leo) was the stand outperformance of the evening. Highly recommended.
Steve Dulwich
Sep 13, 2016
A great cast who work very hard to give this story a great performance. Really enjoyed it!
Chrissy
Sep 12, 2016
It was very slow and actually quite boring, Michael Crawford, when he sang was good, but spent most of the time just stood on the stage. With musicals there is usually some memorable song that you are singing when you leave, but nothing memorable about this at all. Definately would not recommend it.
Janice
Sep 11, 2016
Michael Crawford is a hero of mine, so just seeing him on stage and listening to his wonderful voice would have been enough for me. However, this is a very clever and moving adaptation which held my interest throughout. It may not be for everyone and is not a barrel of laughs but for anyone who loves literature and can cope with subtlety rather than sing along big numbers, I would thoroughly recommend it.
Steph in London
Sep 11, 2016
This is my favourite book and I was so excited to go and see it on the stage. Me and my friend went on Friday 9th September and I was spellbound, by Michael Crawford's sensitive portrayal of Leo, the beautiful piano accompaniment which perfectly set the scene and changing moods, and the young actors. The songs fitted in naturally to tell the story and 'Butterfly' was beautiful. Loved everything about it!
Steve Day
Sep 10, 2016
Went for a Wednesday matinee, took my mum who is disabled and wanted to see Michael Crawford. Unfortunately the policy in this country when the lead character is ill is not to tell people until they get to the theatre. Rather late notice after paying for lunch, congestion charge, parking etc etc to not continue, but something that could have easily been avoided. The theatre have our email address and in fact emailed us a week before giving us some useful info in advance. However they omitted to say that the star was ill (when the email was sent) and didn't send one after that (he missed the whole week according to staff). So basically it's a con as their terms and conditions say they don't have to have the advertised cast and will not refund. It's about time trading standards had the entire theatre business up for unfair terms and conditions. In other countries they don't put up with this nonsense. So much for the show must go on.