A musical comedy about a Roman slave in search of freedom, what better way to reopen one of the Meccas of Parisian nightlife, renamed Lido 2? Sumptuously reupholstered after nine months of work, the former cabaret on the Champs-Élysées has put the feather magazines in the closet and now hosts musical shows. Starting with this Broadway classic: “ A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum “, ” The Mad Forum » in French, first successful composition by lyricist Stephen Sondheim of West Side Story from 1962, until now never shown in France.
Golden cladding and crystal lighting, the old Lido is getting a makeover while keeping its glitzy and swinging side under its new brand Lido 2 directed by Jean-Luc Choplin, great defender of American musical comedy. “ The Mad Forum » is the sixth by Stephen Sondheim that the ex-boss of Châtelet brings up to date.
“ I wanted something that was both sophisticated and popular, that was joyful. It’s inspired by Plautus, so the comedies that were performed in Rome in the 200s BC, even comedies performed in Greece. Plautus completely inspired Molière. So, we are in a Mediterranean culture, in a tribute to Stephen Sondheim and it was the opportunity to have something quite light, even if there are lots of little messages that come across, to clearly show that ‘we’re in a cabaret. »
Stephen Sondheim was only 27 years old when he embarked on what would become, after five years and eleven librettos, his greatest success on Broadway: eight Tony Award nominations including six awards, recalls the British conductor Gareth Valentine, who leads around fifteen musicians in togas.
“ Stephen Sondheim, buoyed by his success in “West Side Story”, is cutting his teeth as a composer and lyricist for the first time. He even composes in the style of Bernstein. And although his music is rooted in the golden age of traditional songs, the harmonies and rhythms are much bolder – even the jokes are better – because he had a very classical training. The songs are therefore extremely well structured and the lyrics unmatched in their genre. »
Colorful characters
The characters of this musical comedy are also unrivaled: a lazy slave, a sold girl, children kidnapped by pirates, eunuchs and prostitutes. Between misunderstandings and crossovers, they are led vigorously by the Irish director Cal McCrystal. He attempts to remain faithful to the spirit of this work of joyful immorality while adjusting it to current times: “ It’s a sex comedy and women aren’t always treated well. This production therefore gives them more power and strength, so that they are equal to men, even funnier than the latter in certain cases “.
Full of discoveries and decorated with a turtle on wheels, an aquatic ballet and an Ethiopian contortionist from Cirque du Soleil, this “ Crazy forum » exudes a rare contagious energy thanks to its endearing artists and euphoric music.
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