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In 2001, Jean-Pierre Jeunet's film The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain was released in theaters. Audrey Tautou created the main role of the now cult film which enjoys international fame.
A little context
A musical was first created in 2015 with music by Daniel Messé and lyrics by Nathan Tysen. The show opened on Broadway in 2017, with Philippa Soo in the title role, but closed after 56 performances.
For the UK cover, the show has been completely redesigned and is very different from the Broadway version.
First of all the concept has been changed: here it is the actors who create the music on stage with their voices and instruments. The vast majority of music has been rewritten to get closer to the spirit of the film.
The production is by Michael Fentiman and the scenography is by Madeleine Girling.
A perfect adaptation of the film
What is superb about this show is that all the elements of the film are present: both in terms of plot and characters. It's also charming to find lots of little details from the film: the raspberries, the ricochets, the garden gnome, Renoir's painting, etc.
One of the very positive points is the music. You can really feel the influence of Yann Tiersen's soundtrack and when a song begins, you wonder if it was part of the film. Nathan Tysen's lyrics are charming and reflect Amélie's boundless imagination.
We remember a few musical moments: "Times Are Hard For Dreamers", "When the Booth Goes Bright" with a folk rhythm which introduces the character of Nino. “Goodbye, Amélie” and “There's No Place Like Gnome” two absolutely hilarious moments.
Audrey Brisson, sensational
The young actress of barely 1,50m is full of energy and she is delicious. She appropriates the character of Amélie by adding a spark of madness and imagination.
Audrey Brisson has a limitless voice. She captivates our attention with her big eyes and her great physicality. She sneaks everywhere and her smile and her limitless voice charms us.
A remarkable staging and company
We feel that the show was thought in terms of troop.
The particularity of this production is that each actor plays at least two instruments as well as an incredible number of characters. Each member of the company is essential and has a defining moment in the show.
They fill the stage with their characters, instruments and music which become one. We find cellos, violins, guitars, pianos, accordions and transverse flute. In turn, they narrate the adventures of Amélie and participate in them.
The staging and set design are incredibly smart. With the help of two benches and two pianos, the decor evolves and takes us to the Café des Deux Moulins, to Amélie's father, to the metro ...
Amélie, stretches her arm towards a lampshade which makes her fly into her room.
The cases of the pianos open to reveal Monsieur Colignon's vegetable stall or Georgette's bar-tabac.
To symbolize Amélie as a child, a puppet is manipulated and imitates Amélie's gestures.
The use of the photo booth is also very ingenious. We make characters appear and disappear, dreams and of course the mysterious man that Nino hunts. We climb on it, we find secrets and trinkets.
The show is very funny. Not only by the character of Amélie with the boundless imagination but also by extravagant moments: The song "Goodbye, Amélie" sung by Elton John, and "There's No Place Like Gnome" sung by the garden gnome. Whether it's the figs of Collignon or the arranged shots of Amélie, we laugh a lot.
The only negative point for me is the imitation of the French accent. Apart from Aurélie Brisson, French accents are not polite and often hinder understanding.
See the show
I highly recommend you to go this show. It's at The Other Palace and the space is quite intimate, there are no bad seats!
Tickets are always available here.
We hope that the show will one day be in Paris: we cross our fingers!
In the meantime, you can find the trailer for the musical that was on tour before settling in London: