Based on the original novel Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. A debut musical premiere of REBECCA has arrived at Charing Cross Theatre. The story of a young woman meeting the love of her life while working as a companion in a luxurious hotel in Monte Carlo.

Lauren Jones (I) performs as the timid second wife of Maxim de Winter. Feeling out of depth in her marriage as she is overshadowed by the ghost of the first Mrs. de Winter, Rebecca when the couple return to the family home “Manderlay” to start their new life together.

The staff are dismissive of her and long-standing housekeeper Mrs Danvers ( Kara Lane) who was dedicated to Rebecca takes an instant dislike and sets out to destroy her. The road to happiness certainly isn’t going to be easy.

I would like to have seen Mrs. Danvers take on a stronger position in the house. Appearing from nowhere and becoming more of an unwanted spirit ruling the house in memory of her “Rebecca”. She had a feared presence in the household and I too wanted to fear her.

Charing Cross Theatre is a great Off-West End Theatre and hosts some brilliant productions. However, REBECCA requires a larger venue to enable the staging and cast to reach its full potential. The atmospheric smoke during one of the coastal scenes completely covered the first few rows on the the left hand side making the experience more interactive than expected.

Close up the video scenery projected onto the static staging looked bland and lost the desired Cornish moody atmosphere. Sadly, the sea didn’t look as stormy and dangerous as it could have.

Set to a new musical score of 22 songs there are some good dramatic pieces among the score. Reducing them wouldn’t detract from the impact of the storyline as at times I felt I was listening to the same song with new lyrics.

The cast is incredibly strong and has a close rapport on stage. During some large ensemble numbers, they would benefit from a larger stage as they appeared very cramped together.

If you are planning on seeing this new production my advice would be to sit further away from the stage to benefit from the various effects used throughout the production.

For further information on this musical and future productions at Charing Cross Theatre please use the links below.

Three Stars.

Photo credit Mark Senior.

Creative team
Original Book and Lyrics: Michael Kunze
Music and Orchestrations: Sylvester Levay
English Book Adaptation: Christopher Hampton
English Lyrics: Christopher Hampton and Michael Kunze
Based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier

Director Alejandro Bonatto
Choreographer Ron Howell
Musical Supervisor/Conductor Robert Scott
Production Designer Nicky Shaw
Lighting Designer David Seldes
Sound Designer Andrew Johnson
Projection Designer Matt Powell
Costume Supervisor Jess Richardson-Smith
Casting Stephen Crockett/Grindrod Burton Casting.