It's On Again: LOVE STORY to Tour the Netherlands

First it was on, 5 weeks later it was off again. And now, Stage Entertainment announced that a Dutch version of LOVE STORY will tour the country from October 2013.

LOVE STORY was originally slated to play the Beatrix Theatre in Utrecht. In a surprise move, the current occupant of the theatre, Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID, was extended. It looked like LOVE STORY would disappear altogether until it was announced yesterday that it would be made into a touring production. 

Freek Bartels (pictured) (LES MISERABLES, NEXT TO NORMAL, JOSEPH) had already been announced to play the male lead, "Oliver Barrett IV" who looks back at his life after his wife passes away from leukaemia. Paul Eenens (CISKE DE RAT, PETTICOAT, SUNSET BOULEVARD, NEXT TO NORMAL) will direct.

The musical, based on the book and movie by the same name, was conceived at the Chichester Festival in 2010, and transferred for a limited 10-week West End run to mixed reviews. The show featured an onstage pianist and a septet of strings. A US version recently played the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

Photo: LOVE STORY actor Freek Bartels

Photo credit: musicals.nl