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Marguerite The Musical Review |
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Written by Emma
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Marguerite opened this summer at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, and is based on the book La Dame Aux Camelias by Dumas. It had a top-class creative team, music was by Michel Le Grand, book by Boublil and Schonberg, and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer.
I was excited to see a new musical in the West End in amongst the mass of American imports and 'jukebox musicals'. My expectations could not have been higher, as well as the incredible creative team, I'm a huge fan of the leading lady, star of West End and Broadway, Ms Ruthie Henshall.
I wasn't disappointed. The curtain opened with Armand (a very good-looking Julian Ovenden) carrying Marguerite(Ruthie Henshall) in through a blinding light from the upstage centre, placing her on a chair center stage and then was swept off on the revolve. There was then a song/dance/abstract scene of Marguerite being beaten up. From then on the show was an emotional rollercoaster ride. We consequently found out in the following flashback that the people who were hurting her were in fact her friends, fellow profiters of the war in 1930s Paris. Marguerite, an ex-singer/prostitute was living with a high-ranking German general called Otto (Alexander Hanson), when, at her 40th birthday party she falls in love with a piano player half her age called Armand, who is with the resistance, and they begin a dangerous love affair. Meanwhile, Armand's sister, singer Annette (played by the incredible Annalene Beechey) is in love with bass player Lucien (Simon Thomas) who happens to be Jewish. I think that by now you can see where this is going. It's clearly not going to end very happily. Annette plans her escape along with Lucien and Armand, and tells Armand to meet her at the station. However, at the close of the first act, in a heart-breaking song, Take Good Care Of Yourself, we see Annette tell Lucien that she must stay to do work for the resistance. Armand doesn't come, but stays with Marguerite.
In the second act things turn more sinister. Marguerite returns to her house to gather her things for she is to elope with Armand. However, when she gets there she finds that Otto has found out, and has captured Annette and tortured her. Otto then tells Marguerite that she must do as he says if she wishes to save Annette from further pain, and she agrees. Otto makes Marguerite write to Armand to tell him that she no longer loves him. When Armand receives this letter he believes it and is angry, so stays away. I am not going to tell any more to ruin the ending.
Music wise, the show is full of soaring melodies, beautifully sung. The most moving for me were Come One Come All, China Doll, The Face I See, I Am Here, and Time Was When.
The set was incredible, appearing to be made completely of glass, and moving very fluidly.
All in all, I loved it. It has been too long since London had a proper new musical, with proper good stars of musical theatre. The score is moving, with depth, and contains many metaphors and leitmotifs, such as 'China Doll' and 'Waiting' .
Sadly, the credit crunch ended hopes of a long run in London, however rehearsals begin next month in Japan, then French and Spanish productions are planned. If it ever comes to a theatre near you, it is a theatre event not to be missed. Just remember your tissues, as you cannot help but be sucked in.
Here is some footage:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ35nUHOJik
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yPHeNgSWfvk&feature=PlayList&p=483888B960E2D8D1&index=5&playnext=4&playnext_from=PL
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OV93KafGouQ
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Okz_bphfm3Q
Hope you like it. The cd and vocal selections are available.
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but is going around the world 
