New musical FRANZ & MARIE to premiere at Charing Cross Theatre

With a book & lyrics by Chris Broderick, Franz & Marie 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. This new production is freshly adapted from the original by Teresa Howard with additional music arrangements and orchestrations by Steven Edis.

Based on Woyzeck, a famously unfinished 19th century play by German dramatist Georg Büchner which has since become one of the most influential, often-performed, and diversely adapted German plays, Franz & Marie is set in the twisted world of late 19th century European folklore. A platoon of soldiers have been stationed in an isolated outpost for months, awaiting their orders. Among them is Franz Woyzeck, a man tormented by nightmares from his experiences in the war, consumed by hallucinations that blur the line between reality and trauma. Franz lives with his girlfriend Marie and their baby Georgie, unable to marry because he's been forbidden from taking leave during the war, but utterly devoted to them. How far will a good man broken by a bad world go to provide for his family?

This new musical reimagines the original story to explore contemporary themes of class prejudice and toxic masculinity, infused with sharp dark humour. It also evolves and expands Marie's role, allowing her to step into the spotlight and earn a place alongside Franz in the title. It infuses the classic German tragedy with soul-rattling Indie raw folk music.

Franz & Marie is directed by Michael Oakley, with music by Rob Shepherd and Chris Broderick (The Singing Loins), alongside choreography by Ben Wright, lighting design by Christopher Nairne and sound design by Andrew Johnson and Oscar Cotran with design by Bretta Gerecke.

Franz & Marie will play at the Charing Cross Theatre from from Monday 28 September to Saturday 14 November with a press night on Monday 5 October.

Franz & Marie Tickets