Blondel (Musical)

Blondel is a musical from 1983. Was by Tim Rice ( book, lyrics ) and composer Stephen Oliver ( music). The story is set in the Middle Ages, during the Third Crusade, however, is marked by anachronisms.

Action

The plot of Blondel based very freely on the legend of the troubadour Blondel de Nesle, to save his efforts, King Richard the Lionheart, not least driven in the musical of his desire, even to gain fame as a pop star. The classic narrator function takes a choir of monks. The Element of Love history and social criticism is introduced by Blondel's girlfriend Fiona, who fights as an activist for the rights and freedoms of the 20th century, while Blondel presents itself as a conservative monarchist.

Formation

The idea for a musical about the time of the English King Richard the Lionheart had Tim Rice in the late 1960s under the working title Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You ( German: Come back, Richard, your country needs you) together with his former composer partner Andrew Lloyd Webber developed. Even a single selfsame title was produced in 1969, but the project was abandoned in favor of the work of Jesus Christ Superstar. It was only in 1982, Tim Rice took up this theme, although he presented instead of the story of the king, the subject of Blondelsage at the center.

After a few demonstrations in Bath and Manchester Blondel celebrated on November 2, 1983 its premiere in London's West End at Old Vic Theatre. After eleven months of game time, the production moved to the Aldwych Theatre, where it ran another eight months. A Broadway premiere of the musical is yet to honor. After it became increasingly rare shown in theaters and school plays, takes from 23 November 2006 London revival held at Pleasance Theatre Islington.

Key points

The most known songs of the musical are The Least of My Troubles ( sung by Blondel and Fiona ), Saladin Days ( Richard and the monks' choir ) and "I'm a monarchist " ( Blondel and the fabulous Blondettes ).

The most famous quote from the piece is: Who said this piece was not educational ( German: Who says this piece is not instructive ). With these words the monks underscore at the end of the first act the remaining historic claim of the work, but the back is long stretches behind the comic elements.