Rebecca musical UK premiere | "Help Me Face the Night"

Exclusive: Have a first listen to the cast performing a number from the long-awaited UK premiere of Rebecca.
The London company will be led by Richard Carson (Les Misérables) as Maxim de Winter, Lauren Jones (Bonnie and Clyde) as Second Mrs de Winter / ‘I’, and Kara Lane (The Addams Family) as Mrs Danvers. You can hear Carson, Jones and pianist Tom Knowles in action.
Completing the company are Alex James-Ward, Piers Bate, Sarah Harlington, David Breeds, Amanda Minihan, Neil Moors, Nicholas Lumley, Nigel-Joseph Francis, Elliot Swann, Scott McClure, Emily Apps, Melanie Bright, Gail MacKinnon, Tarisha Rommick, James Mateo-Salt, and Rosie Glossop.
Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay’s musical version of the famous novel will receive its English-language premiere at London’s Charing Cross Theatre this September.
The show, based on Daphne du Maurier’s seminal 1938 text, was first seen in Vienna in 2006 in German, going on to play three sold-out seasons at the Raimund Theater, with a variety of foreign-language productions following over the intervening 16 years.
Christopher Hampton’s English-language version of the show has been workshopped a number of times over the last 11 years, with both UK and Broadway productions previously conceived. Famously, the show had even gone on sale for its Broadway run in 2013, before plans were scrapped.
Du Maurier’s Rebecca tells the tale of a young woman who marries a wealthy widower, only for the new husband’s past to come to haunt the couple. It was adapted into a film by Alfred Hitchcock in 1940, and again by Ben Wheatley in 2020.
Featuring a large orchestra of 18, the London production of the musical is to be directed by Alejandro Bonatto (The Human Voice at the Charing Cross Theatre). Other creative team members include choreographer Ron Howell, musical supervisor/conductor Robert Scott, production designer Nicky Shaw, lighting designer David Seldes, sound designer Andrew Johnson, projection designer Matt Powell, and costume supervisor Jess Richardson-Smith. Casting is by Stephen Crockett/Grindrod Burton Casting.
Rebecca runs at the Charing Cross Theatre from 4 September to 18 November 2023, with a press night set for 18 September. Tickets are on sale below.

[@GothicTopicPodcast]

OMG I hope we get a cast recording of this...FINALLY!!!! But now my hope of that happening is slipping away since this was cancelled so quickly. :( Apparently it also got mixed reviews too.

[@klaudiapaprocka9240]

Wow, she sounds so familiar to Nienke Latten, who plays "Ich" (or "I") in Vienna now

[@CindersSpot]

Lauren Jones has such a beautiful voice

[@ROUBIX]

Just saw this at the Charing Cross Theatre. It's a marvellous performance. I am definitely going back!

[@ej3016]

read Rebecca years ago in college(am 63) never pictured DeWinter as so young and buff 😉 neither had I ever imagined Rebecca as a musical - wishing much success for this production 🇨🇦🙏

[@beneddiected]

I think Maxim should be older. But this guy is a million times better than Uwe Kroger so I won’t complain

[@MusicsObsession]

​@@beneddiectedUwe Kröger has a wonderful timbre. No he is not a million times better.

[@the_b737guy7]

I truly adore these lyrics, I hope that there will be an English castalbum available soon.

[@GothicTopicPodcast]

I hope so too!!

[@user-ch2se6xz9c]

Saw this show in Vienna. Its terrific.

[@shawnkwan5075]

When I heard that they were doing an English version of this musical, it intrigued me and this song has made my desire to see this musical!

[@griffsco]

we want the full soundtrack!!

[@timtalkzmedia]

I definitely want a cast recording! It needs to go to a bigger theatre. Was lucky enough to be invited to press night

[@robedwards6096]

Really hope we get cd lv the song especually free now .had lump in throat and hope it gets bigger stageing with sets it truly deserves

[@Anja.-_]

That's a wonderful translation of the original version 👏😀

[@ele4690]

Both of their voices are fantastic

[@bobthebuilder243]

Bro they were so fucking amazing, best musical romance

[@grahamshelmerdine24]

They should have made an English Cast Recording. It sounded gorgeous with the 18 peice orchestra at Charing X

[@sueparks8141]

Wonderful to finally hear this in English. I’ve enjoyed the German version for so long despite not speaking German. I wish I could see show in London next April but know it’s short season has already finished.

[@inlovewithJLT]

Really hope it manages to open this time!

[@PhoenixJohnson29]

Duuuude, don’t jinx it 😂

[@maryclay4490]

Saw this last night and the music blew me away. The vocals were incredible and it was a hugely enjoyable evening. What a waste if this cast’s performance is not immortalised in an album.

[@annamattos8627]

I' ve been obsessing about the Hungarian version of this gorgeous song for weeks, now I find this and finally I get to understand the lyrics! ❤❤❤ Wonderful video!

[@Ayanamy-vl2pl]

Got to see it the 4th of November on the Afternoon. What a thrill ! She is giving Lea Michelle Voice and her acting is great. Maxim is still searching but still a great voice. This show deserves much more budget

[@franzwolfgangpucher5191]

What a night… I was there (4.9.23). WOW 😮 BRAVO… I am speechless… I lost my voice after shouting at the applaus. I hope, there will be a recording. I lost my heart in London‘s REBECCA. I only missed „I am a American Woman“ and the „Power of a Woman“.

[@inLmgb]

Oh no, they cut the American Woman from the score in London????

[@mischiefmaker1988]

Rooting for a cast album.

[@robedwards6096]

What a truly beautful song .and great casting

[@robedwards6096]

Saw rebecca today was blown away great acting .brill musuc score .just need bigger theatre .highly recomended

[@ogaoms8985]

People I am actually screaming. Finally! Finally! 🎉❤🤯🥰

[@PhoenixJohnson29]

I wonder why they switched the verses. Usually Ich sings first.

[@zoeheilemeier7435]

That’s a very good question

[@theresabechmann6395]

Yes, you're right. It's a truly beautiful version, but I hope there will be the emotions this song needs on stage!

[@ellenpcwang]

They posted another Rebecca number. That one really shows the emotions and the singers are playing their parts.

[@PhoenixJohnson29]

@@ellenpcwang I saw! They did an incredible job ❤️

[@richardcarson2092]

It’s an out of context recording, don’t worry all 👀😂

[@XuiLeeEv]

Gorgeous voices and great chemistry!

[@robedwards6096]

Saw rebecca today fab show stick to the book .great use of projection.

[@alexisgrey3633]

So pissed i only found out bout this after it closed.

[@Aleena1]

Beautiful!❤

[@oravenheart]

the music in this play is so good

[@phoebehudson5049]

It’s really beautiful song.

[@scribble5454]

i found out about this adaptation through wendy from red velvets involvement in the korean production and oh my god i am so excited now for the english translation!!!

[@BeesBeesBees248]

Wow that’s a gorgeous number. I hope it one day comes back to broadway.

[@Sabsemade]

That's unlikely. They tried to do it when the show first came out in the early 2000, but they were scammed by an investor, and it was all for nothing

[@BeesBeesBees248]

@@Sabsemade I’m well aware lol, I’m just hoping that some angel producer (a real one this time) realizes the beauty of this show

[@midgesherwood2685]

much better if they enriched it to the West End first before Transferring in the Broadway

[@BeesBeesBees248]

@@midgesherwood2685 well ofc but still, here’s hoping

[@bens_dinner]

Very good singers.

[@lynseyallen5636]

Love this song. ❤

[@robedwards6096]

Beautiful song .mirrors olf film so hope its a big hit musical

[@susanpolastaples9688]

Cast albums in both German with Ms Verkaik and English, please. Music is beautiful

[@katiekirby5319]

THIS IS FINALLY HAPPENING?!?! 😍

[@Greg_Romford]

A much better rendition here than the live performance I saw

[@emmaprice8635]

Exquisite 💖

[@Felix-cw9ck]

....... Lauren; bella voice 💞💕💓✨

[@liesewies.9895]

Can we get a clip of the titlesong in English? I’m really curious to what they made of it😊

[@puffpuffseal]

Can’t wait for this!!

[@roubaromeucarneiro5144]

Waiting hopefully

[@noriswagner6219]

Saw this production on the west end. The production value was disappointingly low but the talent was amazing.

[@MySUPERkate]

It’s giving me ‘woman in white’ vibes xx

[@etra0427]

영국버전도 재밌네..

[@mjfuse]

Great number. What's the original song title in German?

[@norah1125]

hilf mir durch die nacht

[@brandyloutherback9288]

Maxim is supposed to be 10/15 years older than the lead! You couldn't add graying hair or receding hairline or anything?!

[@jurgenmuck3102]

To make someone older ist far easier as to make someone younger. A moustache or something like that will help.

[@PhoenixJohnson29]

Richard and Lauren are about 10 years apart in age. But stage makeup can do wonders to age a person. We’ll just have to wait and see how Richard looks on stage. But to be fair he does have that dad type look which could work in the role of Maxim if you do it right.

[@Greg_Romford]

They weren't in full costume for this studio performance.

[@shout467]

Seems like this song is screaming for a baritone. *no hate on the performer though, he’s got a great voice

[@PhoenixJohnson29]

I’ve always thought Maxim was a baritenor.

[@user-ur4uc3fd6l]

...why did they put this magnificent musical in the smallest theatre in the world....?????

[@robedwards6096]

Think trialing it out i really hope its a massive hit and gets full big stage it truly deserves ..lv book and old film got great music score .

[@PhoenixJohnson29]

I heard that this is a trial run for a potential West End run. They have big plans for this show, and I wish it all the success in the world.

[@ej3016]

because this show is about more than that damn flaming staircase 🤦‍♀️ that’s what requires the space - not the music or story 🤦‍♀️

[@PhoenixJohnson29]

@@ej3016 I refuse to hear slander against our beloved flaming staircase 🤣. In all seriousness you do have a point, but I hope we eventually get a West End run of this show with the flaming staircase because that would be cool as fuck!!!

[@deirdreevangelista856]

The singers are excellent. But , to really enjoy this production I think we need to have some grandeur. Mandalay has to be huge meaning a large production ! And that beautiful bedroom and balcony ,it really gives atmosphere! I'm American and would love this to come to Broadway one day but with the full German production in English of course!

[@ivoslauch376]

Go to Vienna to see what Rebecca is supposed to look like!

[@joshuanianko5388]

♥️🫀❤️

[@PrivatePrivate-so4if]

I'm so sorry to be negative as putting on a West End production is far from easy. Yes, the tune is okay, if rather Andrew Lloyd-Webber, but I'm afraid the lyrics don't work for me. They sound so very much like awkward translations that the term "euro-pudding" comes to mind.Anyone old enough to remember the musical "Which Witch" at the Piccadilly Theatre etc, and some other "foreign imports" to the WestEnd, will know what I mean. Just listen to phrases such as, " I feel i'm drowning deep in deception', and "I'm wide awake tormented by my thoughts' etc. How they clunk. You might get away with it in Grand Opera but not a musical show. How on earth could they have been considered appropriate by the English speaking producers? I fear the worse for the future of this production if the rest of the libretto is like this. The extracts I have seen from the spectacular European versions - and the Broadway production that failed to open - seem to indicate the show has potential, but clearly an English production needs much more work and a much bigger budget than they will be getting staging it at at the minuscule Charing Cross Theatre. The two singers on this video were struggling a bit I suspect as the emotion required was sadly lacking from their performance too. And why on earth in this version do they transposed the opening sections from the female character to the male? This totally reduces the logic of the piece. They should never have put out this recording so early as it was unfair to them both. Still, the performers will undoubtedly improve over the coming weeks before the mid September opening and I wish them every success.

[@Erzlump]

I am also not really convinced of the quality of the translation. The original lyrics aren't exactly Sondheim either but one degree of seperation did not seem to have improved things. At least they removed "Power of a Woman" which to me has always seemed like the biggest offender in the score.