Ryan and Ali reunited!

One of the most famous on screen couples of all time are back together for the national tour of A. R. Gurney's Love Letters. Ryan O'Neil and Ali MacGraw first set hearts a flutter in 1970 when they starred in the iconic weepie Love Story. A massive commercial success, the movie was nominated for seven Academy Awards and its tagline alone - Love means never having to say you're sorry - is still enough to get millions reaching for a box of tissues.

The pair will take on the roles of Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, a couple who look back over their 50 year friendship by sifting through the letters that have passed between them. Though incredibly simple in form (it features nothing more than the two actors on stage reading aloud their correspondence) Love Letters is a work of deep emotional resonance, giving its performers plenty of room to immerse themselves in their heartbreaking thwarted love story.

The most recent Broadway revival opened in September 2014 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, under the direction of Tony nominee Gregory Mosher (Glengarry Glen Ross). It featured a starry cast of revolving actors, including Alan Alda, Mia Farrow and Carol Brunett.

What is Love Letters About?

Melissa and Andrew have been in love since second grade, yet circumstance and their own crushing insecurities have resulted in this inevitable romance never materialising. Opting instead for the safety of friendship, the pair keep up a constant correspondence through letters, cards, notes and invitations, a 50 year old paper trail which details all of their victories, defeats and dreams as life pulls them ever further apart.

Did You Know?

Love Story may have been a phenomenal success but its oft-forgotten sequel didn't fare so well. Oliver's Story, which also starred O'Neil, was released eight years after the original and proved to be both a critical and commercial flop.