The Time Traveller's Wife: Journey across book, screen, and stage

Since its release in 2003, Audrey Niffenegger's debut book, The Time Traveller's Wife, has enthralled readers with its distinctive fusion of romance and science fiction. The story is about Henry, a man with a genetic condition that makes him move across time inexplicably, and his wife Clare, an artist dealing with the difficulties of his absences from time. 

The Novel's Journey

Niffenegger's road to publication is just as unique as the story of The Time Traveller's Wife. Frustrated with love, the author poured her heart and soul into a parable about failed relationships. The book was initially rejected, but it was picked up by San Francisco publisher MacAdam/Cage. After novelist Scott Turow endorsed it, it became wildly successful. The novel won prizes, including the British Book Award and the Exclusive Books Boeke Prize, for its distinctive take on time travel and well-developed characterizations. 

The news of a sequel has only excited the fans. Centred on Alba, the daughter of Henry and Clare, the sequel The Other Husband is expected to delve deeper into the themes of relationships, time travel, and love. 

Film & television

The Robert Schwentke-directed film The Time Traveller's Wife debuted in theatres in 2009, starring Rachel McAdams as Clare and Eric Bana as Henry. The movie was a commercial success.

The novel was adapted for the small screen in a 2022 HBO series by Steven Moffat, well-known for his work on Doctor Who. The main actors, Rose Leslie and Theo James portrayed Clare and Henry's complex relationship. The show explores the ideas of determinism versus free will.

On stage

Playwright Lauren Gunderson brings the drama to life with a unique soundtrack for the theatrical version. Actors David Hunter and Joanna Woodward play the parts of Henry and Clare. 

Joss Stone and Dave Stewart wrote the music for The Time Traveller's Wife. Stone, known for his powerful voice, teamed up with Stewart, an accomplished guitarist with a great career that included work with the Eurythmics. The soundtrack adds a new dimension to Henry and Clare's complex journey by promising a distinctive audio experience.

The Time Traveller's Wife continues to enthral audiences across different mediums, demonstrating the power of its enduring narrative. From the pages of Audrey Niffenegger's novel to the big screen, small screen, and now the stage, Henry and Clare's love story transcends time, inviting audiences to explore the complexities of relationships and the inexorable pull of destiny. Watch The Time Traveller's Wife at the Apollo Theatre. Use the Apollo Theatre seating plan to buy the best seats in the house.