This article is about the French musical. For the
Italian musical see Giulietta e Romeo .
Roméo et Juliette: de la Haine à l'Amour
is a French
musical based on
William Shakespeare's play
Romeo and Juliet, with
music and lyrics by
Gérard
Presgurvic.
It premiered in Paris
on January
19, 2001. The production was directed and choreographed by
Redha, with costumes by Dominique Borg and settings by Petrika
Ionesco. The producers were Gérard Louvin, GLEM, and Universal
Music.
Since
then, the musical has been performed in Canada
, Antwerp
, London
, Amsterdam
, Budapest
, Szeged
, Moscow
, Vienna
, Bucharest
, Seoul
, Pusan
(South Korea
), Taipei
and Monterrey
and has been translated into several languages,
including Flemish, Hungarian,
Russian, English, German, Spanish and Romanian.
Plot
Differences from Shakespeare's plot include that almost everyone is
aware of the lovers' "secret" marriage, and the nature of the
lovers' deaths is different, depending on the production. Lord
Montague is only seen in the British production, and new characters
such as Death (French, Belgian, Netherlands, and Moscow productions
only) and the Poet (French production only) appear for dramatic
effect. Lady Capulet has a greatly increased role and is more often
than not the voice of reason. The role of Tybalt has changed
slightly from being purely dark to a more pitiful character because
of his growing up with the hate and a dark childhood, as well as an
unrequited attraction to Juliet.
Synopsis
- Act 1
A long-standing feud between the two leading families of the city
of Verona, the Montagues and the Capulets, regularly erupts into
violence on the city's streets. Irritated, the Prince of Verona
decrees, on pain of death, the absolute prohibition on fighting in
the city (
Vérone). While Lady Capulet and Lady
Montague denounce the violence of the two clans (
La
haine), Romeo (the sole heir of the Montagues) and Juliet
(the daughter of the Capulets) are hopelessly in search for love
(
Un jour).
At the Capulets, a ball is being held so that Juliet can meet Count
Paris, who asked Lord Capulet for her hand (
La demande en
mariage,
Tu dois te marier). In Verona,
Romeo and his friends, Benvolio and Mercutio, hang about the
streets (
Les rois du monde,
La
folie). Romeo is afraid of... he doesn't really know, but
he's afraid (
J'ai peur). In the hope of
distracting him, Benolio and Mercutio, persuade him to accompany
them, in disguise, to a ball being held at the house of the
Capulets (
Le bal). At his first sight of Juliet,
the daughter of the Capulets, Romeo instantly falls in love with
her, without knowing who she is (
L'amour heureux).
Tybalt recognize Romeo and informs Juliet's parents. Romeo and
Juliet learn from the Nurse who they are (
Le bal
2). Tybalt, broken (he loves Juliet in secret),
acknowledges that he is the son of hate and contempt (
C'est
pas ma faute).
After the ball, Juliet takes refuge in her room and dreams of Romeo
(
Le poète), who woos her at great personal risk in
the Capulets' garden. They exchange lovers' vows and plan to marry
in secret as soon as possible (
Le balcon). Knowing
that their families will never agree to their marriage, Romeo meets
Friar Lawrence and asks him to marry them. He accepts hoping that
this union will reconcile the two families (
Par
amour).
In the morning, Romeo meets his friends and tells the Nurse, whom
everyone makes fun of (
Les beaux, les laids), that
Friar Lawrence will marry them the following afternoon. The Nurse,
who deeply loves Juliet as her own daughter, announces the good
news to Juliet (
Et voilà qu'elle aime). Finally,
Romeo and Juliet are married (
Aimer).
- Act 2
The next day, Benvolio and Mercutio meet Romeo: they accuse him of
betrayal (
On dit dans la rue). Out on the streets
of Verona, Tybalt - unaware of his new blood tie to Romeo -
searches for Romeo (
C'est le jour) and when he
finds him, challenges him to a fight, which Romeo refuses
(
Le duel). Mercutio takes up the challenge and is
mortally wounded. Driven by guilt, vengeance and
youthful-hotheadedness, Romeo kills Tybalt (
Mort de
Mercutio). The two families, plunged into mourning, ask
the Prince for revenge (
La vengeance). Finally, he
banishes Romeo from Verona and thinks about the political power
(
Le pouvoir). In her bedroom, Juliet learns the
bad news from the Nurse. She is torn between the love for her
cousin and for her husband. Romeo goes to Friar Lawrence's. He
thinks banishment is worse than death (
Duo du
désespoir).
Romeo and Juliet spend their wedding night together and Romeo makes
his escape to Mantua (
Le chant de l'alouette).
Shortly after her husband has left, Juliet is informed by her
parents that she is to be married to Paris. She refuses and they
threaten to disown her (
Demain). Upset, Lord
Capulet sings about the love he has for his daughter (
Avoir
une fille). In her room, Juliet asks why she has to obey
(
Pourquoi). In Mantua, Romeo thinks of Juliet. In
desperation, she turns to Friar Lawrence, who devises an ingenious
plan, which he hopes will ultimately bring a happy ending for both
the lovers and their two families (
Sans
elle).
Juliet appears to go along with the marriage plans but, in the
night before the wedding, she takes the drug prepared by Friar
Lawrence which makes her appear dead (
Le poison).
Juliet is duly laid in the family vault, hoping to wake up to find
Romeo waiting for her. Unfortunately, The Friar's message telling
Romeo of the plan somehow goes astray, and instead he hears only
from Benvolio that his wife Juliet is dead (
Comment lui
dire).
Grief stricken, he breaks into the Capulet vault, finds what he
believes to be the mortal remains of his beloved, and takes poison
to be reunited with her in death (
Mort de Roméo).
Soon afterwards, Juliet awakes to find her husband dead and she
stabs herself with Romeo's dagger (
La mort de
Juliette). Friar Lawrence enters the vault and finds the
two lovers dead. He complains to God (
J'sais
plus). When the whole story is told, the two devastated
families agree henceforward to live in peace
(
Coupables).
Songs
| Acte 1 |
Acte 2 |
| Ouverture (GP) |
"On dit dans la rue" (R, M & B) |
| "Vérone" (PV) |
"C'est le jour" (T) |
| "La Haine" (LC & LM) |
"Le Duel" (M, T, & R) |
| "Un Jour" (R & J) |
"Mort de Mercutio" (M & R) |
| "La Demande en mariage" (P & CC) |
"La Vengeance" (CC, LM, PV & R) |
| "Tu dois te marier" (LC & LN) |
"Le Pouvoir" (PV) |
| "Les Rois du monde" (R, B
& M) |
"Duo du désespoir" (LN & FL) |
| "La Folie" (M, R & B) |
"Le Chant de l'alouette" (R & J) |
| "J'ai peur" (R) |
"Demain" (CC, LC, J & LN) |
| "Le Bal" (instrumental) |
"Avoir une fille" (CC) |
| "L'Amour heureux" (R & J) |
"Pourquoi" (J) |
| "Le Bal 2" (instrumental) |
"Sans Elle" (R & J) |
| "C'est pas ma faute" (T) |
"Le Poison" (J) |
| "Le Poète" (LP & J) |
"Comment lui dire" (B) |
| "Le Balcon" (R & J) |
"Mort de Roméo" (R) |
| "Par amour" (FL, R & J) |
"La Mort de Juliette" (J) |
| "Les Beaux, les Laids" (LN, B & M) |
"J'sais plus" (FL) |
| "Et voilà qu'elle aime" (LN) |
"Coupables" (final) (LC, LM, LN & LT) |
| "Aimer" (R & J) |
-- |
Character key:
R : Roméo
J : Juliette
B : Benvolio
M : Mercutio
T : Tybalt
LM : Lady Montaigu
LC : Lady Capulet
CC : Comte Capulet
LN : La Nurse
PV : Le Prince de Vérone
FL : Frère Laurent
LP : Le Poète
P : Paris
LaM : La Mort
GP : Gérard Presgurvic
LT : La Troupe
Notes :
- "La folie" and "Pourquoi" were sung until Jun. 27, 2001. They can
be found on the L'Integrale recording and the second disc of some
DVD recordings.
- "Sans elle" is sung only by Roméo on the cast recording, but by
Roméo and Juliette during the show
- Curtain calls were "Aimer", "Vérone" (punctually) and "Les rois
du monde"
Productions
Productions of the musical have included the following:
- "Roméo et Juliette: de la Haine à l'Amour" (Jan. 19, 2001 -
Dec. 21, 2002)/(June 18, 2002 - Sep. 21, 2002) -- (Paris,
Palais des Congrès) and French-Canadian tour (opening at Montreal
, Théâtre St-Denis). The French-Canadian cast
included Romeo (Roméo) was Hugo, and Juliet
(Juliette) was played by Ariane Gauthier. Direction and
choreography was by Jean Grand-Maître.
- "Romeo en Julia: van Haat tot Liefde" (Sep. 22, 2002 - March
16, 2003)/(Jan. 27, 2004 - Apr. 25, 2004) -- (Antwerp,
Stadsschouwburg Theatre) and Netherlands Tour. The cast
included Davy Gilles as Romeo and Veerle Casteleyn as Juliet. Direction and
cChoreography were by Redha.
- "Romeo and Juliet: the Musical" (Oct. 18, 2002 - Feb.
8, 2003)
-- (London, Piccadilly
Theatre
). The cast included Andrew Bevis as Romeo and Lorna Want (later Zara Dawson) as Juliet. The
translation was by Don Black, direction and
choreography were by David Freeman, and musical
staging was by Redha.
- "Rómeó és Júlia" (Jan. 23, 2004 - the Present) -- (Budapest, Budapest
Operetta Theatre). The cast included, as Romeo (Rómeó),
Dolhai Attila (01/2004-), György Rózsa Sándor (01/2004-06/2005,
09/2006-06/2007), Bálint Ádám (09/2004-), and Száraz Tamás
(09/2006-); and as Juliet (Júlia), Szinetár Dóra (01/2004-), Mahó
Andrea (01/2004-06/2006), Vágó Bernadett (09/2006-), and Vágó
Zsuzsi (09/2006-). Direction was by Kerényi Miklós
Gábor, and choreography was by Duda
Éva.
- January 27th, 2004 (Rotterdam
, Nieuwe Luxor Theatre). In the Netherlands /
Belgium tour version, the cast included Davy Gilles as Romeo and
Jennifer Van Brenk as Juliet. Direction and choreography were by
Redha.
- "Roméo i Juliette: ot Nenavisti do Lubvi" (May 20, 2004 - June
12, 2006) -- Russian (Moscow, Moscow Operetta Theatre). The cast
included Eduard Shuljevskii as Romeo (Ромео) and Evgeniya Ryabzeva
as Juliet (Джульетта).
- "Romeo und Julia: das Musical" (Feb. 24, 2005 - July 8, 2006)
-- Austrian (Vienna, Raimund Theatre). The cast included Lukas
Perman as Romeo and Marjan Shaki as Juliet. Tybalt was Mark Seibert. Direction and choreography were
by Redha.
- "Roméo et Juliette 2007" (Jan. 20, 2007 - Mar. 21, 2007)/(Apr.
5, 2007 - Apr. 21, 2007) -- Asia Tour. The cast included Damien Sargue as Roméo and Joy Esther as
Juliette. Direction and choreography were by Redha.
- "Romeo y Julieta: el Musical" (Aug. 28, 2008 - Oct. 19, 2008)
-- Mexico (Monterrey, Espacio Verona/Parque Funidora). The cast
included Ángelo Saláis as Romeo and Melissa Barrera as Juliet.
Direction was by Gerardo Elizondo and choreography was by Miguel
Sahagún.
Differences among productions
Characters
- French Version: There are 14 title characters
in the original production: Romeo, Juliet, Benvolio, Mercutio,
Tybalt, Lady Montague, Lady Capulet, Lord Capulet, The Nurse, Friar
Laurence, The Prince, Paris, The Poet, and Death.
- French Canadian Version: There is no Poet or
Death.
- Belgian/Netherlands Tour Version: There is no
Poet.
- British Version: There is no Poet or Death.
However, there is a Lord Montague.
- Hungarian Version: There is no Poet or Death.
Paris has a greater role.
- Russian Version: There is no Poet. Death is
played by a male.
- Austrian Version: There is no Poet or
Death.
- Asia Tour: There is no Poet, and while there's
a Paris, he doesn't sing.
Songs
- Belgian/Netherlands Tour Version: There are no
versions of "Le Poete", "Par Amour", "Le Pouvoir", "La Folie", or
"Pourquoi?". However, there is a "Verona Reprise" which the Prince
sings, after a shortened "Het Lied Van De Leeuwerik" (Le Chant de
L'Alouette). Julia has a short reprise of "Ooit Komt" (Un Jour)
just before "De Koningen" (Les Rois du Monde).
- French Canadian: "C'est Pas Ma Faute" and "Le
Balcon" are switched. There is no "Le Poete", "Le Pouvoir", "La
Folie", or "Pourquoi?".
- British Version: The orchestrations are very
different from the other productions. There are no English versions
of "J'ai Peur", "Le Poison", "La Folie", or "Pourquoi?". "Le
Pouvoir" was replaced by a "Verona" reprise. "Sans Elle" was
replaced with a "All Days Are the Same Without You" reprise, and
there is a reprise of "Ugly or Beautiful" (Les Beaux, les Laids)
and "Born to Hate" (La Haine) after it. "C'est Pas Ma Faute" has
been replaced with "She Can't See Me" along with different music.
"Gulity" (Coupabales) was turned into a "Fools" (Duo Du Desespoir)
reprise.
- Hungarian Version: Some of the song orders
have been switched. There are 3 reprises, Paris has his own song,
(to the tune of "La Folie") and he shares a duet with Romeo (a "Le
Duel" reprise).
- Russian Version: Orchestrations are the same
(with a slight variation of "Le Bal 1"). There are no Russian
versions of "La Folie", "Pourquoi?", "Le Poete", and "Par Amour".
However, there are versions of "Par Amour" and "Pourquoi?" on the
cast recording. Like the Belgian/Netherlands production, "Utro" (Le
Chant de L'Alouette) was also shortened, and the Prince sings
"Vlast" (Le Pouvoir) after it.
- Austrian Version: Some of the music is
reminiscent to the British, but most stays true to the original
score. Julia has a short reprise of "Einmal" (Un Jour), just before
"Herrscher der Welt" (Les Rois du Monde). There is no Austrian
version of "Le Poete", "Par Amour", "La Folie", or "Pourquoi?".
"Der Gesang der Lerche" has been shortened, and there is a "Verona"
reprise sung by The Prince after "Das Gift" (Le Poison).
- Asia Tour Version: The arrangements are a mix
between the Austrian and the original French. "Tu Dois Te Marier",
"On Dit Dans la Rue", and "Le Pouvoir" were cut from the show. New
songs include "Grosse", "A La Vie, A La Mort", "Je Veux L'Aimer",
"La Folie", (originally cut from the French production, then
brought back) and "Verone 2". "La Demande En Mariage" has been
turned into a solo song sung by Lord Capulet.
Costume Designs
Costume designs in the various productions are influenced by local
renaissance costume traditions.
- French Version: The costumes are 14th century
with a touch of 20th century and are largely made of leather. The
costumes of the Montagues are in shades of blue while the Capulets'
are in shades of red. Costumes dignitaries of Verona are brown
(Friar Laurence), gray and black (The Prince), and golden
(Paris).
- French Canadian Version: The costumes are
exactly the same as the French version, except that of
Juliet's.
- Belgian/Netherlands Tour Version: Most of the
costumes are the same as the French version, excepting those of
Lady Montague, Friar Laurence, the Nurse, Mercutio, the ball gowns,
and the wedding of Juliet.
- British Version: The costumes from this
production are very different from the French and Dutch. Generally
they are a mixture of Renaissance, Victorian, Elizabethan, and 20th
century. The colors for the Capulets are dark blue and white while
the Montagues' are dark red and black.
- Hungarian Version: The Hungarian costumes are
perhaps the most different from all the productions. Some are
reminiscent to the film Moulin Rouge, some have medieval
connotations, and some are futuristic (like Benvolio's).
- Russian Version: Costumes are a mix of French,
Belgian, and new design (like that of Death's).
- Austrian Version: The original designer of the
French version, Dominique Borg, seemed to have gone with a more
futuristic feel to the costumes in this production. Skin-tight and
vibrant, they still perceptibly retain that 14th century
touch.
- Asia Tour Version: The Asian Tour costumes are
different from the original French. Most are inspired by the film
Moulin Rouge. The Montague boys wear colorful trench coats
while the costumes of the ball are distinctly Roman. Others are
similar to the costumes of the Hungarian version.
The Deaths of Romeo and Juliet
Below are descriptions of differences among productions in the
treatment of the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
- In the original French production, after Romeo sings "Mort de
Romeo", the character known as "Death" kills Romeo with a kiss.
When Juliet wakes up to find him dead, she sings "La Mort de
Juliette". Death then hands her Romeo's dagger, which she uses to
kill herself. The Belgian/Dutch/Russian/Asia Tour version follows
this treatment.
- French Canadian Version: After singing "Mort
de Romeo", Romeo drinks a poison and falls lifeless in front of
Juliet's "death bed"; Juliet then finds him dead, and with his head
on her lap she sings "La Mort de Juliette" and then kills herself
with Romeo's dagger.
- British Version: Romeo and Juliet both kill
themselves with Romeo's dagger.
- Hungarian Version: Taking Juliet into a
harnest, Romeo hangs himself as he is strapped to Juliet. Juliet
kills herself with Romeo's dagger, but she slits her wrists instead
of bringing the dagger into her stomach.
- Russian Version: Death "sucks the life" out of
Romeo. So, he basically just puts his lips together and sucks his
breath in. After Juliette sings "La Mort De Juliette", Death hands
her Romeo's dagger, which she uses to kill herself.
- Austrian Version: Romeo drinks a vial of
poison, and similar to Romeo +
Juliet, Juliet wakes up just in time to watch him die. She
kills herself with Romeo's dagger.
- Asia Tour Version: Same as the Austrian
version. Romeo drinks a vial of poison after singing "Mort de
Romeo", with Juliet waking up just in time to see him die. After
singing "La Mort de Juliette", Death hands her Romeo's dagger,
which she uses to kill herself.
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