The Fabulist

THE FABULIST -- named after the term many top-tier magicians use to describe themselves -- is a romantic musical comedy set in a movie studio in Tuscany in 1929. A wandering fabulist, Agrofontido, is smitten with the eccentric screenwriter Clarice and seeks her hand. Unfortunately, the characters find that romance can get complicated in a hurry. James Farwell wrote the book and lyrics, which are based on Antonio Paisiello's opera THE IMAGINARY ASTROLOGER. Written for Catherine the Great, it was her favorite opera. Paisiello, who heavily influenced Rossini but has a lighter tone, was the favourite composer of both her and Napoleon, for whom he composed the coronation music. His style is joyous and uplifting.

Cast:
Julian - Dan Smith
Count Petronius - James Paterson
Cardinal Bandini - Stuart Pendred
Pupuppini - Constantine Andronikou
Clarice - Reka Jonas
Cassandra - Lily De La Haye
Alternate Julian - Jack Holton
Alternate: Cassandra and Clarice - Marienella Phillips

Creatives: 
Book & Lyrics: James P. Farwell
Music: Giovanni Paisello
Director: John Walton
Musical Director & Orchestrator: Bobby Goulder
Set & Costume Designer: David Shields
Lighting Designer: Fridthjofur Thorsteinsson
Sound Designer: Andrew Johnson
Movement Director: Sean Kempton
Magic Consultant: Harry De Cruz
Casting Director: Debbie O’Brien
Producer: Steven M Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions

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Franz & Marie

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Franz & Marie

"Franz & Marie is a visceral journey into the heart of a good man broken by a bad world."

Set in the twisted world of late 19th Century European Folklore, after action on the front line a platoon of young soldiers has been stationed in an isolated outpost for months awaiting further orders. Among them is Franz Woyzeck, a man haunted by nightmares since his return. He sees fire in the sky—hallucinations that blur the line between reality and trauma. Franz lives for two people: his girlfriend Marie, and their baby, Georgie. Forbidden from taking leave during the war, they haven’t been able to marry, but his devotion is absolute- he goes above and beyond to provide for Marie and his child.  

 

“An Authentic Soul-Rattling Folk Musical” 

Franz & Marie is a unique and visceral musical that breathes new life into Georg Büchner’s classic German tragedy, Woyzeck, with soul-rattling Indie Raw Folk.  It was originally commissioned two decades ago by the award-winning Korean company Acom and created by key members of the Kentish underground cult band, The Singing Loins.  Franz & Marie is an adaptation of that Singing Loins show, reimagined with a 14 strong cast of actor-musicians.

"The brutal poetry of the ordinary man”

Directed by Michael Oakley, Franz & Marie has been adapted for the stage by Teresa Howard based on the book and lyrics by Chris Broderick, music by Rob Shepherd and Chris Broderick - The Singing Loins, arrangements, orchestrations and, additional music by Steven Edis, choreography by Ben Wright, lighting design by Christopher Nairne and sound design by Andrew Johnson and Oscar Cotran with design by Bretta Gerecke. Fight Choreographer: Ronin Traynor.


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