Martin Guerre is a bold musical based on a true story of a young soldier who returns home after many years away, claiming to be Martin Guerre. Following a forced marriage Martin Guerre leaves his village to escape his fate and finds himself in a seven-year war with a man who shares more with him than his battlefield wounds. Set in 16th-century France. A musical exploring themes of love, identity, betrayal and the search for truth. This thought-provoking story highlights the lengths people will go to for love and belonging.
Martin Guerre, premiered at the Prince Edward Theatre in 1996, with a short two-year run and winning an Olivier Award for best musical in 1997. Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and original lyrics by Alain Boublil, the creators of Les Misérables.
Martin Guerre is not an extension of Les Misérables and stands alone as a ‘triumph’ of a remastered musical. With the addition of Annabel Mutale Reed to the creative team providing new exquisite lyrics. The Old Vic Theatre showcases this musical in the round, and this can be challenging for the cast and the audience as each scene and performance needs to be heard and seen. This type of staging disadvantages the audience slightly as you can lose a sense of emotional connection with the characters when they have their backs to you. However, there was great attention to detail to compensate for this. The cast’s vibrant musicality of the songs surged from the stage enveloping the audience in a wave of pure emotion. The story is a dark and the set even darker. As the scenes move quickly though you notice the smooth action of changes concealed through movement, blackout and white flag waving, so swift; that the reenactment of battle, back to seated in a court room is truly astonishing.
The score is the ‘jewel in the crown’ with new lyrics by Alain Boublil and Annabel Mutale Reed: Someday, is a standout moment, performed beautifully by Bertrande, Liv Andrusier. “Working on the land”. Combining old with the new this hybrid score with its folk-inspired chamber arrangement absolutely elevates this musical. There are stunning performances from all the cast highlighting, Martin, Shane O’Riordan, Colin Ryan, Adam Pearce and Barney Wilkinson. The audience were visibly moved and admiration shown by the standing ovation. This was closing night of Martin Guerre it has certainly left its mark and is set to capture a new generation of audiences who value the musical score as much as they do the story. L’excellence lyrique à l’état pur; Pure lyrical excellence.
Book by Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg
Developed and directed by Matthew Warchus
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
New Lyrics by Alain Boublil, Annabel Mutale Reed, Paul Hodge
Lyrics by Alain Boublil & Stephen Clark
Reviewer: Michelle Knight
Reviewed: 31st October 2026
North West End UK Rating: