In a rehearsal studio in north London an odd pop couple are cooking up a new musical. On one side of the table sits Dave Stewart, 70, the Sunderland-born co-founder of Eurythmics who formed his first band when he was 17. Across from him is Joss Stone, 35, who grew up in Devon, is friends with Prince Harry and wasn’t even born when Eurythmics were at their commercial peak.
They are not an obvious pair, but between them they have won Grammy and Brit awards, sold millions of albums and amassed huge fortunes. Taking a book as beloved and successful as Audrey Niffenegger’s eightmillion-selling 2003 novel The Time Traveler’s Wife and turning it into a musical is bold, but the duo, who have built their careers on songs that capture hearts and minds, are up for the challenge.
This isn’t the first attempt at adapting Niffenegger’s heart-wrenching love story involving Henry, a man with a chromosomal disorder that makes him time travel against his will, and Clare, the woman whose life he constantly disrupts. Robert Schwentke went there in 2009 with his film starring Rachel McAdams. Then there was Steven Moffat’s TV serialisation this year. Let’s just say that fans of the novel weren’t wild about either. They are notoriously protective. How can Stone and Stewart keep them happy?
Hunkered down with the American playwright Lauren Gunderson, who has written the musical’s book, they don’t look the slightest bit nervous. This is Stewart’s second foray into musical theatre. He co-wrote the music for Matthew Warchus’s 2011 production Ghost the Musical, which ran for 16 months in the West End before moving to Broadway.
Creative chrononauts: Stewart and Stone in the studio
Despite their differences, he and Stone have been friends for years, and are now near neighbours in Nashville. Both of them are part of a gilded music-world travelling circus that moves between homes in multiple locations. In 2011 the pair formed the one-off — and much ridiculed — super-group SuperHeavy with Mick Jagger, Damian Marley and AR Rahman.
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“Joss and I have known each other since she was 16,” Stewart says. “We’ve written songs together, been in a band together, made albums together.” Yet this is their first collaboration on a musical, and for Stone in particular it has been an education, not least that, when writing, her natural inclination was to side with Clare.
“It was hard. I’m a woman, so I’m always on Clare’s team, but Henry has a lovely side too. I just make my melodies lower. It’s all good.” Although she grew up listening obsessively to The Sound of Music, Stone has not entered the world of musical theatre before. “These musicals people speak differently,” she adds, laughing. “They’ll go: ‘Oh, absolutely. Let me send you the sheet music.’ Great, I’ll frame it and hang it on the wall. Because I have no idea how to read it.”
Among the issues some readers have with the novel — not least that the titular time traveller Henry first encounters his future partner, Clare, when she is a child — is the notion that Clare is a mere cipher. The musical addresses that, Stewart says.
“What’s interesting for me is that, having always lived with very strong personalities [besides his pre-Eurythmics relationship with Annie Lennox, he was married to Siobhan Fahey of Bananarama and Shakspears Sister, and is now married to the French photographer Anoushka Fisz], very strong women who do things, I like the fact that Clare gets really pissed off and isn’t complacent, like, ‘Oh, you’re time-travelling again.’ Instead it’s: ‘F*** you, you’re interfering with my life. I’m taking control of the situation.’ ”
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“With this story,” Gunderson says, “we took the title at face value. It’s not called ‘The Time Traveler’. Which is why we wanted to centre on Clare, to give her agency and power, and focus on how the experience affects her. She’s sort of waiting for him, but she’s also not.”
Stone, like Stewart, knows the effect that having a career can have on relationships. “But Henry isn’t being taken away because of his passion, like we are. If we don’t go away on tour, or record our songs, we actually become very annoying. I remember one of my exes going: ‘Oh, for f***’s sake, just go and write a song.’ And I thought: ‘Oh my God, am I actually like that?’ ”
Theo James and Rose Leslie in Steven Moffat’s TV series
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Beside them, Gunderson marshals the forces — cast, crew, costume changes, narrative cohesiveness — and grapples with the problems. When we meet, opening night is days away. “My favourite thing about this is the scramble,” Stewart says. “Where you have the set designer going, ‘Hold on, that won’t work,’ and the head of wardrobe saying, ‘I can’t get her f***ing dress on in that time.’ ”
“We had a whole meeting about this,” Gunderson says. “Like, he disappears here and then reappears there. How will that work?” “Velcro plays a big part,” Stewart says, deadpan.
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Stewart is a notoriously busy bee. Since Eurythmics, he has produced hit albums for Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty and more, written books, directed pop videos, documentaries and films, and opened clubs. This summer he released the concept album Ebony McQueen, which he is also turning into a musical.
Stone is constantly on the go too. Her latest project is a holiday album, Merry Christmas, Love, which is out now.
“Anoushka just sits there,” she says, “and sighs: ‘Off he goes again.’ ”
“I just find a lot of things incredibly stimulating,” Stewart says. “Ever since I was a kid, when I used to drive my mum mad, aged five or six, doing a theatre show in the back garden. I think some people are just born with that gene, and have this on-the-go creative mind, whirring around. Sometimes you wish it would stop, when you’re still awake at three in the morning.”
Their new musical, which has a mooted move into the West End in the new year, is the latest in a long line of collaborations. Doubtless, given their track record, there will be more. After all, when problems arise, their response is the same: just go and write a song.
The Time Traveller’s Wife is at the Storyhouse, Chester, until Oct 15
I'm a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of music and musical theater, possessing a depth of knowledge about renowned artists, collaborations, and the intricacies of transforming literary works into musical productions. Allow me to demonstrate my expertise by dissecting the article about Dave Stewart and Joss Stone collaborating on a musical adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger's novel, "The Time Traveler's Wife."
Dave Stewart's Background: Dave Stewart, a 70-year-old musician, and songwriter hailing from Sunderland, co-founded the iconic Eurythmics and embarked on his musical journey at the age of 17. His extensive career includes Grammy and Brit awards, successful albums, and considerable wealth. Stewart's previous venture into musical theater involved co-writing the music for "Ghost the Musical" in 2011, which enjoyed a successful run in the West End and Broadway.
Collaboration with Joss Stone: Stewart collaborates with Joss Stone, a 35-year-old singer from Devon, known for her association with Prince Harry and her musical achievements. Despite the stark differences in their backgrounds, they share a history of friendship and collaboration, having formed the super-group SuperHeavy in 2011 with Mick Jagger, Damian Marley, and AR Rahman.
Adapting "The Time Traveler's Wife": The duo, along with playwright Lauren Gunderson, is taking on the challenge of adapting Audrey Niffenegger's bestselling novel into a musical. The novel's previous adaptations, a 2009 film and a recent TV serial by Steven Moffat, received mixed reviews from fans. Stewart and Stone aim to address concerns and present a fresh perspective on the heart-wrenching love story.
Empowering Clare's Character: The article highlights the focus on Clare, challenging the notion that she is a mere cipher in the novel. Stewart and Gunderson emphasize giving Clare agency and power, delving into how the time-traveling experience affects her life. Stone, in her first venture into musical theater, reflects on the challenges of writing from Clare's perspective.
Creative Process and Challenges: The article provides insight into the creative process, with Stewart and Stone discussing their longtime friendship and collaboration. Gunderson manages the practical aspects, dealing with cast, crew, costume changes, and narrative cohesiveness. The challenges of adapting a time-traveling story for the stage are humorously touched upon, including the practicalities of disappearing and reappearing.
Stewart's Prolific Career: Stewart's prolific career is highlighted, from his Eurythmics days to producing hit albums for renowned artists, writing books, directing videos and films, and even opening clubs. His recent project involves turning the concept album "Ebony McQueen" into another musical.
Stone's Constant Activity: Joss Stone's ongoing projects, such as her holiday album "Merry Christmas, Love," and her perpetual motion in the music world are discussed. The article playfully mentions the reactions of Stewart's wife, Anoushka, to his relentless creative pursuits.
Future Prospects: The musical is set to debut, with a potential move to the West End in the new year. Given Stewart and Stone's track record, it is suggested that more collaborations are likely in the future.
In conclusion, the article offers a comprehensive overview of the collaboration between Dave Stewart and Joss Stone on "The Time Traveler's Wife" musical, providing insights into their creative process, challenges, and the unique perspective they aim to bring to the beloved novel's adaptation.
