VIDEO: THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG in London

After the success of Brief Encounter in the West End and on Broadway, Kneehigh's new adaptation of Jacques Demy and Michel Legrand's The Umbrellas of Cherbourg will arrive at the Gielgud Theatre following a limited run at Curve, Leicester. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg will begin previews on 5 March and is booking until 1 October 2011. Directed by Emma Rice, with lyrics translated by Sheldon Harnick, designs by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Malcolm Rippeth, sound by Simon Baker and musical supervision by Nigel Lilley, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg will be produced in the West End by Daniel Sparrow and Mike Walsh Productions, Curve Leicester and City Lights International in association with Be Yu Productions.

Twenty year old French auto mechanic Guy Fouchier has fallen in love with 17-year-old Geneviève Emery, an employee in her widowed mother's chic umbrella shop. On the evening before Guy is to leave for a two-year tour of combat in Algeria, he and Geneviève vow to remain lovers. After discovering she is carrying Guy's child she must choose between waiting for his return or accepting an offer of marriage from a wealthy diamond merchant.

The cast for Leicester and the West End comprises Joanna Riding (Madame Emery), Meow Meow (Lola), Carly Bawden (Genevieve), Gareth Charlton (Sailor), Andrew Durand (Guy), Cynthia Erivo (Madelaine), Dominic Marsh (Cassard), Aki Omoshaybi (Sailor) and ensemble members Laura Brydon and Matt Wilman.