On Saturday I had the very good fortune to be able to see "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg". This is a new version of the musical based on the 1964 Jacques Demy film of the same name (music by Michel Legrand). The production is directed and adapted by Emma Rice of Kneehigh Theatre with a re-orchestrated score by Michel Legrand.
The two greatest disappointments about the current production are the fact that it has already served it's closing notice (despite only opening in March) and the pitiful audience sizes (probably a contributory factor to the first point).
The production is visually stunning - with a very clever set which is beautifully lit, has cinematic fluid movement and some great effects (such as the snow fall at the end of the show). The music is sumptuous - wonderfully orchestrated (the orchestra features such gems as an accordion and a harp which give a rich palette of musical colours) and brilliantly played by an adept orchestra. The cast are all excellent but particular credit must go to Joanna Riding as Madame Emery and Cynthia Erivo as Madeleine who were both perfect in their performances. The production has been accused of being over sentimental but with Legrand's score, I don't think it has a choice to be anything but sentimental and the sentimentality adds another wonderful dimension to the emotion of the story.
I don't know whether it's the overly harsh reviews (lest we forget that Les Mis was slated by the critics) or the reluctance of audiences to give some new a try which is responsible for the poor ticket sales for the show - but I would urge anyone who has a love of musical theatre to go and see the production while they still can! It runs at the Gielgud Theatre until 21st May 2011 so do get in quick!
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