Julie – Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

Book lyrics and music: Abey Bradbury

Following in the wake of musicals inspired by the lives of historical figures such as Guy Fawkes, Alexander Hamilton, and the six wives of Henry VIII, this new anarchic and feisty musical tells the life story of French Seventeenth Century LGBTQ+ icon Julie D’Aubigny. By the time that D’Aubigny was seventeen she had become an accomplished swordswoman, set fire to a convent and a dead nun, and using her married name, La Maupin, established herself as a leading Parisian male impersonator and opera singer. It should come as no surprise that the publicity for this modern take on D’Aubigny’s life boasts tap dancing sword fights and twerking nuns! As one of the first openly bisexual women D’Aubigny lived a life of high adventure, controversy, and scandal. It is easy to see why her often chaotic life story has inspired so many novels, films, and musicals. This latest version of her life story presented by Manchester-based Le Gasp productions was workshopped last year at Hope Mill Theatre before going on to appear at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Julie offers a whistle-stop tour of D’Aubigny’s exhilarating and thrilling short life. Dying at the age of only thirty-three, the show crams in much of D’Aubigny’s sensational life history and introduces an array of her female and male lovers. At the start, D’Aubigny, played by Sam Kearney-Edwardes, proclaims that she always knew that her life would become an opera. Joined by a group of four talented actor/musicians, Kearney-Edwardes wonderfully conjures up the world of Seventeenth Century libertine France, joyfully taking on the role of narrator and main protagonist. Suitably set backstage at the Paris Opera, complete with vintage costumes and furniture the Company energetically play out key scenes in D’Aubigny’s life, effortlessly swapping roles, and genders, clearly having a lot of fun whilst doing so.

The first half is the most satisfying part of this production. It is light, fast-paced, sensual, witty, and deeply engrossing. The music is fresh, lyrical, and upbeat incorporating a wide range of musical styles including blues, pop, glam and hard rock, hip-hop and old-time music hall. D’Aubigny emerges as a valiant hero escaping prosecution for arson, seducing a range of aristocratic suitors, and discovering a life of fulfilment as an opera singer and street fighter. In the second half when D’Aubigny’s life takes a darker turn, the pace becomes slower as D’Aubigny embarks on an affair with her one true love, Marie De Florensac. The portrayal of this relationship, although essential to the unfolding narrative feels drawn out and protracted. At least fifteen minutes could be trimmed to make the action tighter, more focused and fulfilling. It should be said however that the final love duet between D’Aubigny and Marie is among the finest songs this reviewer has heard in a new musical.

Abey Bradbury has spent two years perfecting the music, book, and lyrics of this impressive musical. On this showing Bradbury is to be congratulated for creating such a unique and striking piece of work. She clearly has a bright future in musical theatre and is certainly a name to look out for. With more development Julie could become a musical to sit alongside and rival the likes of Hamilton and Six.

As well as being an enjoyable musical romp this production brilliantly showcases the talents of Kearney-Edwardes and the rest of this fine ensemble cast, Sophie Coward, Fabien Soto Pacheco, Georgia Liela Stoller and Alexander Tilly. As well as being a tribute to a brave and enigmatic LGBTQ+ icon, Julie is a terrific endorsement of the human spirt, and a reminder, to live our lives authentically and the best we can.

Runs at Hope Mill until Saturday 24 June 2023