Martin Guerre

Synopsis

Based on the same story as filmed in Sommersby which was the remake of Le Retour de Martin Guerre. Set against the Catholic/Protestant troubles in France, Martin Guerre is trapped in a marriage of convenience and disappears one day to the war. He returns after many years - but is it really him? Originally opened in London (after some delays) in 1996. After a short while, some bad reviews and falling audiences it underwent substantial re-write and re-direction before re-opening 11th Nov 96. Winner of 1997 American Express Award for Best New Musical.

Our Review:

20 July 2007

The impostor who takes the identity of another man – and his place in his wife’s bed – sounds like the stuff of legends. But Martin Guerre is based on a real court case tried in France in 1560. Boublil and Schönberg’s fleshing out of the bare facts resembles a tabloid story – or even a Jerry Springer scenario – although presumably nowadays, DNA testing could detract from the tension!

Les Mis aficionados might wonder how this epic musical can work in an intimate auditorium with actor/musicians replacing the orchestra. It’s hard to imagine a more effective staging or orchestration than Craig Revel Horwood’s fast-moving punchy production and Sarah Travis’ stunning arrangements for just 12 astonishingly versatile performers.

And thanks to Diego Pitarch’s artful use of the tiny Watermill stage, there’s a terrific sense of claustrophobia about this Pyrenean village that looks like a Brueghel painting, peopled by diehard bigots determine...

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Latest User Review

martin - 3 September 2007:

just fantastic!! no more to say! ...

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