THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG

16/05/2024

YOUR CHANCE OWN A PIECE OF WEST END HISTORY!

To all the lovers and admirers of "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg"...

Some years have passed since audiences fell in love with Emma Rice's 2011 stage adaptation of Umbrellas.

This is your chance to own 2 sublime set pieces from the beloved and beautiful West End musical THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG, directed by Emma Rice, which played at the Gielgud Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, in London's West End.

The musical was designed by Olivier award winning theatre designer L*z Brotherston OBE (see https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/lez-brotherston - best loved for his work with Matthew Bourne and many award winning West End shows).

This innovative stage musical adaptation of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, was based on the classic French film by Jaques Demy, with a score by the late, legendary Grammy/Oscar winning French composer Michel Legrand.

These 2 beautiful neon set pieces/sculptures designed by Brotherston are currently in storage, but we are now seeking new custodians for these historic pieces of West End theatrical history to preserve them.

~ ~~ "J'T'aime" Sign ~~~
The first work is the iconic large steel and neon beautifully sculptured set piece that spells out 'J'T'aime' (translates to "I Love You" in French) in a grand scale in red neon. The piece does need some basic restoration as it was split into 2 halves, so would need re-welding together and re-wiring. However it is a beautiful piece of set design and awork of theatrical scenic art by Brotherston. Each letter is approx 1.6 in height (including leg stands), and the length of the sign is approx 4.2m.

~~~ "Le Club" Sign ~~~
The second neon piece - "Le Club '' in an orange/red neon which is in perfect working order (won't require any restoration), and still in its packing travel case - approx 2m in width x 1m in height. Also used in the same West End production by the same award winning designer.

This YouTube video shows both signs as they were used, in full operation as part of the West End production:
https://youtu.be/-PJRDtDrMkk?si=57RRErE2U8CNXShB

Pictures of the 2 works on stage, and in off stage/storage mode are attached.

The pieces are in storage in North London.

If you are interested in enquiring about either piece, please email [email protected] for more information, if you would like to express interest.

Thank you, and please feel free to forward to anyone you know who might be interested in preserving these beautiful and historic pieces of West End history!

02/12/2011

Congratulations to MEOW MEOW - it's just been announced she is nominated as BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL for her role as Maitress in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg..!!! Vote NOW at the link below.. Voting closes end of January. Go MEOW MEOW!!!

http://awards.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=1304

The only theatre awards to be voted for by the theatregoers' themselves. The biggest, the best, the original

29/11/2011

Hi all last chance to vote for UMBRELLAS in the Whatsonstage Awards Nominations - voting closes on Wed night!!

Whatsonstage Awards Voting nomination suggestions....:

Best Actress in a Musical - JOANNA RIDING or CARLY BAWDEN
Best Actor in a Musical - ANDREW DURAND or DOMINIC MARSH
Best Supporting Actress - MEOW MEOW or CYNTHIA ERIVO
Best Ensemble Performance - THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG company
Best Musical Revival - THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG
Best Director - EMMA RICE
Best Set Designer - L*Z BROTHERSTON
Best Lighting Designer - MALCOLM RIPPETH
London Newcomer of the Year - MEOW MEOW
Best West End Show - THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG

http://awards.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=1256

The only theatre awards to be voted for by the theatregoers' themselves. The biggest, the best, the original

25/05/2011

Thank you all for your wonderful support for our season of UMBRELLAS in London! We had an amazing time bringing you this production, and hope that one day it may touch and move people again. Stay as members of this group and we'll let you know if there are any news or updates of future productions, or any other news. Merci and au revoir for now!

20/05/2011

It's our FINAL 3 SHOWS.... As French neighbours to Les Mis, and as a final farewell offer to send off our wonderful London production of Kneehigh's THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG, we've decided to give our FB friends a special £20 rate on best avail tickets. Come to see us in Cherbourg one last time - Tonight, Fri 20th 8pm, and Sat 21st 3pm and 8pm. Avail in person at the Gielgud Box office - quote 'Facebook offer'. www.umbrellasofcherbourg.com

20/05/2011

It's our FINAL 3 SHOWS.... As a final farewell offer to send off our wonderful London production of THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG, we've decided to give our FB friends a special £20 rate on best avail tickets. Come to see us in Cherbourg one last time - Tonight, Fri 20th 8pm, and Sat 21st 3pm and 8pm. Avail in person at the Gielgud Box office - quote 'Facebook offer'. Thanks for all your support -- MERCI!!

17/05/2011

★★★★
“It's rare that on leaving an auditorium you feel like going back in to see a show all over again. It casts a heady, hypnotic spell and I for one fell deeply under it.”
Daily Express
★★★★
Whatsonstage.com

“A FEAST FOR THE EYES… INGENIOUS”
The Observer

“SPECTACULARLY WELL STAGED”
The Mail on Sunday

“A WONDERFUL THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE”
Jonathan Ross

www.umbrellasofcherbourg.com

Photography by Steve Tanner

New photos - some more of Steve Tanner, our production photographer's work - we have saved some of the best till last!!

These are a selection of some backstage and sidestage shots taken during our run - including some dressing room shots of our wonderful company.

Enjoy!

17/05/2011

Hi all - we are filming UMBRELLAS tomorrow, Wed 18th May for posterity, and as a thanks to all our FB fans, would like to offer you & your friends £20 tix for the 3pm and 8pm performances - we need a loud and proud crowd in! Quote "£20 Facebook" tix at Gielgud Theatre Box Office in person. Hope to see you there!

16/05/2011

So, it's the final week of performance for THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG in London - our final show is on Saturday 21st May. Come visit us in Cherbourg one last time if you can!! And thanks for all of your support of the show during our run!

10/05/2011

So - it's our final weeks of performances before we say goodbye on the 21st May - but even so, we've got one last video for you - in response to the numerous requests and comments from people who want to learn the Die Ge Ding dance! Hope you enjoy Meow Meow as Maitresse as with her salty sea-dogs shows you how you too, can Die Ge Ding!

Instructional Film

02/05/2011

Hi all - a reminder that all tix for tonight's bank holiday performance are at £15 tonight for best available, so come along, or get your friends to come see us tonight! Otherwise, we're now in our final 3 weeks - hope to see you in Cherbourg again soon,, before the 21st May!

28/04/2011

Hi all - remember we are having a Royal Wedding Celebratory Sale - all seats for Friday 29th April and Monday 2nd May are only £15.... After seeing the most romantic wedding of the year, come to Cherbourg to see London's most romantic new musical!! www.umbrellasofcherbourg.com