Daniel Boys and Lauren Samuels chat about Love Story

What attracted you to the show?

Daniel: I’d always known about Love Story, obviously there’s the famous movie, but I also knew that the musical, although I’d never seen it, was very very beautiful. And not only that, but that the Octagon was producing it. It has such a reputation, and lots of my friends said I was so lucky to be working here, especially with Elizabeth [Newman] directing it.

Lauren: It was the same for me, wanting to work at the Octagon because it’s got such a great reputation. And also to take part in such a challenging show, it’s essentially a two – hander really between Jenny and Oliver. And I’d seen the movie and cried a bit!

Daniel: I also love Howard Goodall as a composer, I loved The Hired Man, it’s heart- breaking.

So, had either of you seen the movie version before or the musical?

Lauren: I didn’t get chance to see the musical, I’d seen the movie and we’d both read the novel.

Daniel: The novel is beautiful.

Lauren: It’s absolutely fantastic. And I think that everyone around my mother’s age has seen the movie so my mum was saying ‘you have to watch Love Story, it’s so beautiful’.

What's your favourite weepie film and why?

Lauren: We both have the same favourite, don’t we?

In unison: It’s The Notebook.

Lauren: I think it’s the old people, we just love old people.

Daniel: They really do break your heart, every single time.

Lauren: And no matter how many times you see it, I know what’s going to happen, and I still cry! And it is a very similar love story really to what Jenny and Oliver experience.

What's your favourite song in the show?

Daniel: My favourite song is one that I don’t sing it’s one that Lauren sings, called "Nocturnes." The words and the lyrics are just such a beautiful poem anyway. And then the melody and the way that Lauren sings it – it’s heartbreaking, it’s stunning to hear.

Lauren: I love a few, but I love "The Recital" because it has the theme tune that everybody knows from the film in it, and it’s the only time that you hear it in the show. So I think it’ll be that moment when everybody in the audience gets that heart-warming feeling. And the underscore for that song is absolutely amazing, when you watch Tarek [Musical Director] playing it on the piano it’s really amazing. And again, the lyrics. Stephen Clark Clark and Howard Goodall have created some amazing lyrics in the piece.

What's the best thing for you about being in Love Story?

Daniel: Personally, I think it’s one of the most challenging pieces I’ve had to act in. And the way Elizabeth has been working with us, I’ve never experienced a director like it. In a good way!

Lauren: Yes, it’s so creative.

Daniel: We’ve done a lot of character work and research and breaking the scenes down into units, it’s been really challenging but I’ve really relished that and I’ve loved it.

Lauren: I think I’m exactly the same. When we were both cast in these roles, we both realised that it was going to be really challenging. And it’s a terrifying thing to take on, particularly for me knowing that I’m going to die at the end of the piece – I’ve never died in a show before! The whole creative process with Elizabeth our director has been absolutely extraordinary; it’s something that I want to continue doing now.

Love Story is at the Octagon Theatre from 19 June – 12 July.