Martin Guerre To Return

[rockyhorrorfan]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 10:56am

So who's excited about the prospect of Martin Guerre returning to the West End? I loved the original London production (although I think I saw it in previews) but didn't like the West Yorkshire Playhouse production.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 11:07am

Wonder where it would go? I'm guessing its a small scale production so maybe the Garrck or the Gielgud

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 11:23am

Its been talked about for a while, great if it happens but I suspect its a big IF. I can see it being a smaller version. It actually could work at somewhere like the Menier and then transfer in if a success

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 11:27am

I'm super excited. I wish the article wasn't so clear on them being "hard at work" making even more changes. I thought the Watermill production was pretty much perfect. I liked the reinstating of a lot of the original material and the cutting of most of the revised Yorkshire Playhouse stuff. I also really liked the idea of keeping "Live With Somebody You Love" as a duet for Martin and Bertrande.

I don't think the Watermill actor/musician concept really works for this show, but if they kept that revised text and expanded the production values I think the show could have a real chance at finally being a success.


Updated On: 8/21/13 at 11:27 AM

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 2:12pm

Fingers crossed, always loved Martin Guerre, but I have not seen it.

The Original London Cast Recording, is completely different from The West Yorkshire Playhouse Recording (1999 cast Recording) except for the title song. I love both.




"Prologue"?
"Live with Somebody You Love"?
"Your Wedding Day"?
"The Deluge"?
"I'm Martin Guerre"?
"Without You as a Friend"?
"Death Scene"?
"The Conversion"
"God's Anger"?
"How Many Tears"?
"Dear Louison"
"Welcome to the Land"?
"The Confession"
"The Seasons Turn"
"Don't"?
"All the Years"
"The Holy Fight"?
"The Dinner"
"The Revelation"?
"The Day Has Come"?
"If You Still Love Me"
"The Courtroom"?
"Who?"?
"I'm Martin Guerre"? (Reprise)
"All That I Love"?
"The Imposter is Here"?
"The Final Witness"?
"The Verdict"?
"Justice Will Be Done"?
"Benoit's Lament"
"Why?"?
"The Burning"?
"The Killing"?
"You Will Be Mine"
"How Many Tears"
"Live with Somebody You Love"? (Reprise)

? - Songs included on the UK Tour Cast Album

Listing for the 1999 Cast Recording:

1. Prologue - Stephen Weller
2. Live With Somebody You Love - Matthew Cammelle
3. Your Wedding Day - Michael Bauer
4. The Deluge - Kerry Washington
5. I'm Martin Guerre - Stephen Weller
6. Without You As A Friend - Matthew Cammelle
7. Death Scene - Matthew Cammelle
8. God's Anger - Lisa Pearce
9. How Many Tears - Joanna Riding
10. Welcome To The Land - Lisa Pearce
11. Don't - Matthew Cammelle
12. The Holy Fight - Johnathon Penton
13. The Revelation - Kerry Washington
14. The Day Has Come - Kerry Washington
15. The Courtroom - Johnathon Penton
16. Who? - Company
17. I'm Martin Guerre - Johnathon Penton
18. All That I Love - Matthew Cammelle
19. The Imposter Is Here - Kerry Washington
20. The Final Witness - Michael Bauer
21. The Verdict - Matthew Cammelle
22. Justice Will Be Done - Maurice Clarke
23. Why? - Matthew Cammelle
24. The Burning - Instrumental
25. The Killing - Matthew Cammelle
26. Live With Somebody You Love - Joanna Riding

The new song 'Why' just blew me away.

[theatrepaul]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 2:25pm

I saw the original production & was very disappointed. I've heard the later productions were much better so hopefully they've now found something that actually works well

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 3:03pm

The original production had a prison song similar to "Why" and it was the best song in the show. It just wasn't recorded for the CD.

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 3:51pm

I much prefer the original cast recording

I suspect a revival will depend how miss saigon does and whether its a hit second time round. I wonder if camerons plan is to have the three b&s musicals running together. Nice marketing angle.

[theatrepaul]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 4:04pm

He tried running all 3 together the first time round & it didn't work.

Maybe this time will be better

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 4:24pm

It seems kind of silly to have all three running at the same time as he'd essentially be dividing the potential audience into thirds, and possibly causing all three shows to suffer losses if the public interest isn't high enough.

At the same time, there could be discounts and promo codes made available to people who see one or two shows and that could benefit the other.

I really hope it works this time! I would love a complete recording of the score.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 5:10pm

I didn't see the London production but I did kinda enjoy the UK tour with Joanna Riding. Always been partial to "Bethlehem" and "The Land of our Fathers" from both cast albums.

Re multiple productions.. I vaguely recall that someone played alternate Arnaud twice a week while doing Enjolras at the Palace the other 6 shows?

And there were all sorts of casting issues with that original production?

[TBFL]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 10:15pm

I'm pretty sure it was Glyn Kerslake who played both roles.

Casting a female lead who couldnt sing certainly didnt help the show...

[sparepart973]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 11:16pm

That was Glyn Kerslake. Ma-Ann DIonisio also did the same splitting time between Miss Saigon and Martin Guerre.

[dgjbear]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 5:18am

I wonder why they don't work on something new instead?

[philitalia]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 5:53am

They've become rich and lazy ???

A less pompous version in a smaller theatre could work, but I don't see this ever come near the success (and quality?) of Les Mis or Miss Saigon, not even with bigger "braguettes"









Updated On: 8/22/13 at 05:53 AM

[karloskar2]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 7:19am

The musical of Martin Guerre has a fundamental flaw which means the show will never work unless they start from scratch. As soon as we know that Bertrande knows that the "Martin" who returns is not really the man she married, all dramatic tension disappears. All the other stuff they added to compensate for this is dull and boring. They discarded the very thing thst makes the story interesting and dramatic, and why people love the original story and its various film versions. Added to that the very weak score (by Boublil/Schonberg standards) and the chances of success are extremely low.

[rockyhorrorfan]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 10:53am

Having seen Rebecca Lock as Bertrande I was delighted that they used her for the OLC instead of Juliette Caton. Having seen one of the previews the score was quite different to the OLC recording. Where's The Child was called something like Charri Vari (not sure of the spelling).

[sparepart973]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 10:59am

They did Pirate Queen and that was horrible.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/28/13 at 6:21pm

How Many Tears and Why are the only tracks I like from the 1999 recording. Otherwise, I think the original is a beautiful score.

As soon as we know that Bertrande knows that the "Martin" who returns is not really the man she married, all dramatic tension disappears.

I disagree. There is much tension to be mined in the story as suspicion mounts in the village fueled by the jealous Guillaume knowing that Bertrand is powerless to protect Arnaud. It just has to be structured and directed well, which is where the musical has previously faltered. The second act gets caught up in emotions and the storytelling becomes inert.

Anyone think this supposed revival is going to be a Kenwright budget production?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/28/13 at 11:35pm

^The Wattermill production was also very small, but it worked. If anything I think this Martin Guerre will be more like the new Les Miz and Miss Saigon tours i.e. lots of projected scenery.

I think the Wattermill production also cut the burning scene, which I don't think was a very good idea. I didn't see it so someone will have to confirm, but it sounds like they cut it.

I feel like the show sort of needs it's 80s mega musical barricade/chandelier/helicopter moment and the burning scene has the potential to be that.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 8/30/13 at 3:58pm

i really want this show to succeed... i love the original london cast recording... i also enjoy the tour recording but still prefer the lush sounds of the OLC...

i had a chance to see the tour when it hit the Ahmanson and it definitely had moments of boredom... i actually thought act 2 was very strong since the focus was on the courtroom scene leading up to his imprisonment and the town going crazy and stuff lead by Guillaume... act 1 just felt very unfocused... i also appreciated that Betrande knew from the very beginning that he wasn't Martin and it was just about how the two could keep up a lie... i thought the dramatic tension was there...

so i'm definitely hoping this show does well... i think it deserves it... it's such a beautiful score and story

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/26/15 at 2:14pm

Has anyone heard anything else about this? Now that Miss Saigon is open and doing good business I'm wondering when Cameron plans to focus on Martin Guerre again or is the rumored Miss Saigon movie going to come first?