French-Canadian stage and screen star Audrey Brisson is confirmed to play the iconic altruist Amélie Poulain in the UK’s first musical adaptation of the much-loved film. Telling the story of the imaginative and shy romantic with a gift for helping others, Amélie The Musical will tour the UK in a vibrant, re-conception of the production with new orchestrations. (Links marked with * are affiliates)
The production will arrive at the Opera House Manchester from 6-10 August and further casting is yet to be announced. Amélie is the story of an astonishing young woman who lives quietly in the world, but loudly in her mind. She secretly improvises small, but extraordinary acts of kindness that bring happiness to those around her. But when a chance at love comes her way, Amélie realises that to find her own contentment she’ll have to risk everything and say what’s in her heart. Although times are hard for dreamers, Amélie is someone to believe in…
Audrey Brisson said
“Bonjour, je m’appelle Audrey Brisson et c’est avec un immense plaisir que je m’apprête à jouer le rôle d’Amelie Poulain. That is to say, I am really looking forward to sharing this journey filled with imagination and quirkiness that Amélie will concoct for us. Until then, à bientôt. (Have a raspberry on me!)”
With music by Hem’s Daniel Messé, lyrics by Nathan Tysen and Daniel Messé and book by Craig Lucas, the new musical adaptation of the film written by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant, will be directed by Michael Fentiman.
The original film, Le Fabuleux Destin D’Amélie Poulain, was released in 2001, starring Audrey Tautou and Matthieu Kassovitz. Taking over $33 million in a limited theatrical release, it is to date the highest-grossing French-language film released in the United States, and one of the biggest international successes for a French film. Amélie won Best Film at the European Film Awards, four César Awards in 2002 (including Best Film and Best Director), two BAFTA Awards (including Best Original Screenplay), and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including best foreign language film.
