Overview
Synopsis
When Martin Guerre was only a youth, his wealthy uncle, Pierre Guerre forced him into an arranged marriage with local girl, Bertrande de Rols, to ensure a new Catholic heir in the village. Although the community rejoiced over the union, Martin was not happy in the marriage and it remained unconsummated. After being beaten and humiliated by the local priests for his personal failure, Martin abandons his young wife and leaves to fight the Protestant Huguenots. This is the tale he tells to his comrade, Arnaud du Thil. However, when they are attacked in a sudden skirmish, Martin is left for dead and Arnaud vows to tell Bertrande of her husband’s demise. But when he arrives in the village, he is hailed as Martin, the villager’s prodigal son, and is taken to see Bertrande before he cannot reveal his true identity.
Left alone, Bertrande realizes that Arnaud is not Martin, and he reveals the truth to her. However, the villagers force the couple together and, slowly, they begin to fall in love. Bertrande confesses that she has converted to Protestantism and introduces Arnaud to the secret worship going on in the village. However, Martin’s old friend, Guillaume, spies on them uncovers their heretical beliefs. Jealous with love for Bertrande, he decides to alert the village and the couple are attacked by an angry mob. When Benoit, a simple villager, reveals that he knows Arnaud is not really Martin, Arnaud is arrested and sent for trial on charges of deception. The final witness at the trial is…..Martin Guerre, who survived his wounds on the battlefield. As hate between the local Catholics and Protestants intensifies, Martin forgives Arnaud and gives Arnaud and Bertrande his blessing. When the village is set on fire, Guillaume stabs Arnaud in a jealous rage and he dies in Bertrande’s arms.
Show Information
- Music
- Claude-Michel Schönberg
- Lyrics
- Alain Boublil
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1996
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Artigat, Early Modern France
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Ideal For
- Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
Songs
Act One
Working on the Land - Ensemble
Where's the Child - Martin Guerre, Bertrande de Rols, Pierre Guerre, Madame de Rols, Guillaume, Ensemble
Martin Guerre - Martin Guerre
Here Comes the Morning - Martin Guerre, Arnaud du Thil
Sleeping On Our Own - Celestine, Hortense, Ernestine
When Will Someone Hear? - Bertrande de Rols
*Louison / Welcome Home - Benoit, Ensemble
Tell Me to Go - Arnaud du Thil, Bertrande de Rols
Bethlehem - Ensemble
All I Know - Arnaud du Thil, Bertrande de Rols
Act Two
The Courtroom - Arnaud du Thils, Pierre Guerre, Ensemble
Me - Benoit, Ensemble
Martin Guerre (Reprise) - Arnaud du Thils, Ensemble
Someone - Bertrande de Rols, Arnaud du Thils
The Imposters - Bertrande de Rols, Ensemble
The Last Witness - Martin Guerre, Arnaud du Thils, Bertrande de Rols, Guillaume, Ensemble
I Will Make You Proud - Guillaume
The Reckoning - Guillaume, Bertrande de Rols
Land of the Fathers - Pierre Guerre, Martin Guerre, Bertrande de Rols, Ensemble
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher