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The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

Gielgud Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue
London, UK

Kneehigh’s adaptation of Michel Legrand's 1964 French film musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg was at the Gielgud Theatre until May, 2011.

Twenty year old French auto mechanic Guy Fouchier has fallen in love with 17-year-old Genevieve Emery, an employee in her widowed mother's chic umbrella shop. On the evening before Guy is to leave for a two-year tour of combat in Algeria, he and Genevieve vow to remain lovers. After discovering she is carrying Guy’s child she and must choose between waiting for his return or accepting an offer of marriage from a wealthy diamond merchant.

Following the international smash–hit success of BRIEF ENCOUNTER in London and New York, the innovative theatrical creative force KNEEHIGH return to the West End with their exciting new adaptation of cult French musical film THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG!

It's 1957 and we are in the French port of Cherbourg. Jazz, sailors and vin rouge dance deliciously in the air, and l’amour laps against the shores of the heart! Boy (young auto mechanic Guy Fouchier) loves girl (umbrella shop sales assistant Geneviève Emery). They whisper "je t’aime" with the certainty of youth, but when war comes between them, Geneviève has to choose between waiting for her homespun hero or plumping for the dashing diamond dealer asking for her hand... quel dilemme! Oh, and did we mention the baby that’s on its way? Zut alors! 
 
Based on the film by JACQUES DEMY, with the score of Grammy and Oscar–winning composer MICHEL LEGRAND (Yentl, Windmills of your Mind), featuring two of his greatest songs "Watch What Happens" and "I Will Wait for You", and lyrics translated by SHELDON HARNICK (Fiddler on the Roof), KNEEHIGH’s new production of THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG sails into the Gielgud Theatre for a limited engagement until 21st May only. The outstanding cast includes Olivier Award–winning Joanna Riding, and international cabaret sensation "Meow Meow".