A scene from Les Fiancés De Loches at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris
Les Fiancés De Loches continues at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris.
A rare specimen is now playing at the gorgeous Théâtre du Palais-Royal; an original French musical that is not a by-product of a commercial album venture, but one in which the songs actually move the plot forward.
While closer to old school French operetta than to contemporary musical theatre, the original score by Hervé Devolder, with lyrics adapted from Georges Feydeau by Jacques Mougenot, is far superior to those of most recent French spectacular musical shows such as Robin Des Bois or 1789.
Adapting Feydeau as a musical was a good idea from the start as it has given birth to a French musical comedy, a truly rare breed. The plot is pure French vaudeville: two guys and one girl from the French provinces land in Paris to find true love but through a dating agency. Unfortunately, the agency they approach is actually a recruitment company.
The cast, headed by Christine Bonnard and Franck Vincent (both from Sister Act) with Charlotte Filou stealing the show as Michette the mistress, is first rate. Also top class are the costumes by Jean-Daniel Vuillermoz and the choreography by Catherine Arondel. All in all, a not-to-be-missed fun and unpretentious show that deserves to have a future, as Devolder’s previous musical Chance ultimately had. A recording would be a most welcome addition.
Patrick Honoré
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