Act 1

The French courtesan Marguerite Gautier is almost at the end of her life. Being at the final stage of her illness,she is visited by the ghosts of her past, as her doctor and her faithful maid Nanine try desperately to pacify her. She hallucinates her own funeral procession, with antagonists from her life, and the return of her lover Armand Duval. In her mind an Angel appears to take her away but she refuses to go. She is not ready, yet…

Brought back to life by the ever fortune-seeking Prudence and Nanine, she returns to being the toast of Paris society, being courted by a Duke, a Baron and the ever-faithful Gaston, three of the many men overwhelmed by her beauty. Every night is a swirl of entertainment, parties, theatre and the Opera. One evening at a ballet performance, she meets and encourages the attentions of Armand Duval, a handsome young man who instantly falls for her beauty and charms. She toys with his affections when presented with a bag of sugared almonds. She humiliates him in front of her friends and leaves him in bewilderment. Albeit treated with such unkindness, Armand falls heavily in love, unable to think of anyone else but his beautiful Marguerite.

Armand is seen night after night outside the house where Marguerite lives. He stands in the rain and through her window he sees the truth. Her illness. A woman gravely hiding her condition from the world. His love and adoration of her increases.

On meeting again at yet another of the endless rounds of parties, as she dances with Armand, Marguerite realises that she is starting to have deeper feelings for him. The two fall passionately in love.

Armand persuades Marguerite to leave Paris and start a new life in the countryside for the good of her health. She agrees but is cautious about giving up her past life. After some time, life becomes difficult, and Marguerite has to sell her jewellery. Armand leaves promising her that he will use his inheritance to support their lives.

Whilst Armand is away Marguerite is visited by his father, Mr. Duval, who pleads with Marguerite to give up his son. He persuades her to write him a letter to end their relationship. Finally agrees to do as asked, Marguerite is left alone bereft and desperately unhappy with what she has done…

 

Act2

Paris is in full swing. With Marguerite in disgrace Olympe is the Queen of Paris, or so she thinks. At a grand party Marguerite suddenly reappears on the arm of a rich benefactor. Society is shocked by her return. Seeing that Armand is there Marguerite tries desperately to ignore him.Olympe, furious at Marguerite’s return, dances together with Armand, indicating she and Armand are now together, to provoke Marguerite’s jealousy. As everyone retires to another room to play cards, Marguerite is left alone, inconsolable. Armand returns and she begs him to forgive her for writing the letter and leaving him. Armand is not so forgiving and tricks her into believing that if she gives up all her wealth and changes her life they can be together again. She readily agrees. In front of the entire Paris society he takes his revenge. Knocking her down and throwing money at her, he then gives back the letter that she had written to him. She is betrayed and becomes the laughing stock of Paris with her reputation in tatters.

Armand decides to leave Paris. Desperately ill, Marguerite comes after him in the hope of one last chance of forgiveness, but it is not to be… Armand leaves.

As Marguerite’s own death approaches, all the ghosts of her past reappear to haunt her. The angel appears to welcome her into his arms, she is ready to die... she surrenders herself to the inevitable. Heaven and peace await.

 

Choreographer/Derek Deane

Composer/Carl Davis

Set & Costume Designer/Adam Nee

Lighting Designer/Fridthjofur Thorsteinsson

Assistant to Choreographer/lvan Gil Ortega