London cast recording of Amélie to be released

Craft Recordings and Concord Theatricals will release the Original London Cast Recording of Amélie in digital form on Friday (5 June 2020).

Now available for pre-order, the recording features the cast of 13 actor-musicians who took to the stage at The Other Palace for the successful London transfer run of the Watermill Theatre’s hit production of the critically-acclaimed musical version of hit French film Amélie.

Produced by Tony Award-winner Sean Patrick Flahaven, the album features French-Canadian stage and screen actress Audrey Brisson (The Grinning Man, Bristol Old Vic) as Amélie; Sophie Crawford (War Horse, National Theatre) as Gina; Faoileann Cunningham (Mary Stuart, Almeida Theatre) as Georgette/Sylvie; Rachel Dawson (A Little Night Music, Watermill Theatre) as Andamine/Philomene; Oliver Grant as Lucien/Mysterious Man (War Horse, UK tour), Chris Jared (Much Ado About Nothing, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) as Nino; Caolan McCarthy (The Plough and the Stars, National Theatre) as Hippolito/Elton; Samuel Morgan-Grahame (Sister Act UK tour) as Joseph/Fluffy; Emma Jane Morton (Sweet Charity, The Watermill) as Delphine; Kate Robson-Stuart (Crazy For You, UK tour) as Suzanne: Josh Sneesby (One Man, Two Guvnors, Adelphi Theatre/Theatre Royal Haymarket) as Blind Beggar; Jez Unwin (Once, Phoenix Theatre) as Raphael/Bretodeau; and Johnson Willis (Harold and Maude, Charing Cross Theatre) as Collignon/Dufayel.

With music by Daniel Messé from alternative rock band Hem and lyrics by Messé and Nathan Tysen (co-writer of The Burnt Part Boys), the album was co-produced by Tysen along with the production’s director Michael Fentiman and orchestrator Barnaby Race.

Commenting on the recording, Flahaven said: “I’ve known Dan and Nathan for more than 20 years and have seen Amélie through its evolution. The score is gorgeous, the book is truly moving, and I was completely charmed by this production and the quality of performance and musicianship. I know listeners and future producers will be as well. A show about unselfish acts of kindness, emerging from isolation and loving each other is exactly what we need now.”

Tysen said: “It was wonderful working with Michael Fentiman and his team on this reimagined Amélie. I am thrilled to be recording this new version which includes new songs and a few reinstated numbers, all performed by an extraordinary ensemble.”

Messé added: “Seeing the UK production of Amélie felt like I was watching a favourite band cover a song of mine, and hearing everything as if for the first time.”

Produced by Hartshorn-Hook Productions, The Watermill Theatre, Broadway Asia and Selladoor Worldwide the UK production is due to reopen in 2021.

First staged in California in 2015 before arriving on Broadway in 2017, Amélie The Musical is based on director and co-writer Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s original 2001 film Le Fabuleux Destin D’Amélie Poulain.

Featuring Audrey Tatou in the title role, the whimsical tale of a woman who brings joy to those around her with secret acts of kindness, enchanted audiences across the world. The film won Best Film at the European Film Awards, it also won four César Awards and two BAFTAs and was nominated for five Oscars.

Angela Thomas