Rue Magique

Synopsis

Based on a true story, Rue Magique explores the complex relationship between Desdemona, a South London prostitute, and her thirteen-year-old daughter Sugar. A moving rite of passage story, Rue Magique portrays a world that exists beneath the radar of police and social services, where people struggle to survive by any means possible....But can there be any hope, any redemption, when a mother forces her own daughter into prostitution?

Our Review:

30 October 2008

Why not make a musical about prostitutes? No, it’s not something that has ever occurred to me either, but luckily for us, it did occur to Brett Kahr and Lisa Forrell, whose music and lyrics and book respectively combine to create new musical Rue Magique, a challenging and emotional journey into a dark and desolate world of teenage prostitution and personal demons.

The action takes place in a grim and rather lack-lustre brothel, sensitively underdesigned by Polly Sullivan, which is ruled over with an iron fist by Desdemona, the Madame of the house and the mother of Sugar, who is forced to celebrate her thirteenth birthday by moving to ‘level 2’ with her less than appealing clients. It is not a prospect that she relishes and is complicated further by her friendship with a local young shopkeeper who is determined to show her that there is in fact ‘another kind of kiss’.

Unlikely fodder for a musical at...

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Latest User Review

Valerie Sinason - 31 October 2008:

As a therapist who worked with street children and sex workers I found this a most profoundly moving experience. Like Shakespeare combining deepest tragedy with scenes of humour, the brilliant writing and direction here manage humour that helps us to bear the central tragedy. Acting, singing and music are outstanding. However, those who would like prostitutes to be happy madonnas or negative stereotypes will be disappointed....

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