Songs for the Fallen

Songs for the FallenPart vaudeville, part MTV-does-Baroque, Songs for the Fallen depicts the wild and unforgettable final birthday party of infamous French identity Marie Duplessis in the intimate confines of the Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Studio.

On January 15th, 1847, Marie Duplessis – courtesan, party girl, liar and legend – got out of bed, put on a dress, ordered a bottle of champagne, and sat alone in her Paris apartment to celebrate her birthday. She died 18 days later, aged 23… but Mademoiselle is not done yet.

Award winning actor, singer, writer and comedienne Sheridan Harbridge commands the stage, fresh from appearing in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of North by North West. Her impressive career includes roles in The Speechmaker, Hip Bone Sticking Out and The Beast. Songs for the Fallen sees her captivate the audience with her sophisticated yet debaucherous celebration of a young courtesan’s life.

Set in nineteenth century Paris, Songs for the Fallen is a glittering piece of theatre charting the life of Marie Duplessis from poverty to infamy; capturing the rise of a charismatic young woman who knew one thing: good girls don’t make history.

With a lush live baroque-pop score, composed by Basil Hogios, AFI nominee (Romulus My Father) and APRA Screen Music nominee (The Killing Field), Songs for the Fallen gives insight into the decadent life and demise of a woman who defied her fate and enchanted a nation, eventually inspiring The Lady of the Camellias, La Traviata and Moulin Rouge.

“It’s a show where cabaret meets theatre and the language of pop music meets French” – Time Out

Director: Shane Anthony  Featuring: Simon Corfield, Sheridan Harbridge, Ashley Hawkes  Composer and Sound Designer: Basil Hogios  Musical Director: Steve Toulmin  Set Designer: Michael Hankin  Costume Design: Lisa Mimmocchi  Lighting Designer: Alexander Berlage

Songs for the Fallen
Fairfax Studio – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne
Season continues to 3 October 2015
Bookings: 1300 182 183 or online at: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au

For more information, visit: www.criticalstages.com.au for details.

Image: Sheridan Harbridge stars in Songs for the Fallen