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Lyrics - Alain Boublil
Opened - 1996
Main characters - Bertrande, Arnaud, Martin, Guillaume, Benoit, Pierre
Plot - It is France in the 16th century, and there is a feud between Catholics and Protestants. In the village of Artigat, Martin Guerre, the nephew of a wealthy land-owner, Pierre Guerre, is forced to marry Bertrande De Rols to ensure that their land stays in Catholic hands. Martin is not entirely happy with this, and under pressure from the rest of the village leaves Artigat to fight for the Catholic army. 7 years later Martin is stabbed in battle and his close friend, Arnaud Du Thil, believes him dead and goes to Artigat to find Bertrande. When he arrives he is mistaken for Martin and doesn't get a chance to reveal his true identity during the celebration at his return. He adopts Martin's name, and only Bertrande know that it isn't truely him. But the two fall in love with each other. Arnaud and Bertrande secretly go to Protestant worships, and when this is found out by Guillaume, who wants Bertrande to be his, Arnaud is arrested, accused of stealing Martin's name. During the court case the real Martin Guerre arrives, and Arnaud eventually owns up. Martin frees Arnaud from prison, but Guillaume begins a riot through the village and he kills Arnaud who is protecting Martin. Bertrande leaves the village to make a new life, and Martin becomes a leader, with Catholics and Protestants now working on the land together.
Songs (With marks out of 10) -
1.Working on the land (10)
2.Where's the child (7)
3.Martin Guerre (10)
4.Here comes the morning (10)
5.Sleeping on our own (8)
6.When will someone hear? (9)
7.Louison (9)
8.Welcome home (9)
9.Tell me to go (10)
10.Bethlehem (9)
11.All I know (10)
12.Entr'acte (10)
13.Me (6)
14.Someone (7)
15.The imposters (10)
16.I will make you proud (8)
17.The land of the fathers (10)
Favourite song - The imposters
Favourite character - Bertrande
Favourite quote -
"Here comes the morning, crystal clear morning. And when the day is done,
the sun paints it's last silhoettes. With luck, by the time that it sets, we'll be home."
- Martin and Arnaud, on the battlefields, 'Here comes the morning'
Comment - Most musical fans will know that Martin Guerre has been a disappointment for Boublil and Schonberg compared to their last two musicals, but this is still excellent. The only fault is that the second half is a bit laboured, but the first half is packed with lovely songs. The opening and close are superb, the music gives the perfect feel of what life was about hundreds of years ago. The storyline doesn't stand out, but this is really nice to listen to.