Charing Cross Theatre, London
Running time: TBC
Age Restrictions: Age guidance: 12+
Tickets from £25.00
A haunting musical inspired by Georg Büchner's Woyzeck
With book & lyrics by Chris Broderick in a new adaptation by Teresa Howard, music by Rob Shepherd and Chris Broderick, with additional music, arrangements and orchestrations by Steven Edis.
Franz & Marie is produced by ACOM and Steven M Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions Limited. This new musical inspired by Georg Büchner's Woyzeck with book & lyrics by Chris Broderick, is newly adapted by Teresa Howard with additional music arrangements and orchestrations by Steven Edis and runs at Charing Cross Theatre from Monday 28 September to Saturday 14 November with a press performance on Monday 5 October.
Franz & Marie is a unique and visceral musical that breathes new life into Georg Büchner’s classic German tragedy, Woyzeck, with soul-rattling Indie Raw Folk. It was originally commissioned two decades ago by the award-winning Korean company Acom and created by key members of the Kentish underground cult band, The Singing Loins. Franz & Marie is Teresa Howard’s adaptation of that Singing Loins show, reimagined with a 14 strong cast of actor-musicians for Charing Cross Theatre in 2026.
This musical transforms a legendary tale into a heart-breaking tragedy, that explores contemporary themes of class prejudice and toxic masculinity, infused with sharp dark humour. Franz & Marie is a visceral, journey into the heart of a good man broken by a bad world.
Set in the twisted world of late 19th Century European Folklore, after action on the front line a platoon of young soldiers has been stationed in an isolated outpost for months awaiting further orders. Among them is Franz Woyzeck, a man haunted by nightmares since his return. He sees fire in the sky—hallucinations that blur the line between reality and trauma. Franz lives for two people: his girlfriend Marie, and their baby, Georgie. Forbidden from taking leave during the war, they haven’t been able to marry, but his devotion is absolute- he goes above and beyond to provide for Marie and his child.
The title Franz & Marie refers to Woyzeck’s first name and that of his girlfriend. Much like Romeo and Juliet, they love each other deeply and set out on an unforgiving path that could lead them to a bitter, tragic end. In this musical adaptation the character, and narrative, of Marie has evolved through the new creative process, allowing her to step into the spotlight beside Franz, and earning her a place alongside his, in the title.
Directed by Michael Oakley, Franz & Marie has been adapted for the stage by Teresa Howard based on the book and lyrics by Chris Broderick, music by Rob Shepherd and Chris Broderick – The Singing Loins, arrangements, orchestrations and additional music by Steven Edis, choreography by Ben Wright, lighting design by Christopher Nairne and sound design by Andrew Johnson and Oscar Cotran with design by Bretta Gerecke.
Charing Cross Theatre
Charing Cross Theatre
(formerly New Players Theatre), The Arches, Villiers Street
London
WC2N 6NG
The Charing Cross Theatre: The Venue
The Charing Cross Theatre is one of the smallest West End theatres with only 275 seats. The theatre was rebuilt in 1989 as part of the Charing Cross re-development to meet the demands of national and international producers wanting a theatre that offered a degree of intimacy and is the equivalent of an Off-Broadway space.
The Charing Cross Theatre: History
Founded in 1936, Charing Cross Theatre (formerly the New Players Theatre) occupied several premises in the West End before locating to its present site under The Arches below Charing Cross Station. The current site was a famous Victorian music hall which went on to produce many musicals, pantomimes and melodramas.
Ideally situated under the arches of Charing Cross Station, London's Charing Cross Theatre (formerly the New Players Theatre) is brimming with history and is proud to be one of London’s last remaining music hall venues. Over 100 years of entertainment lives within these walls creating a beautifully theatrical atmosphere bursting with memories of London’s finest entertainers - and, back in the days, if you were willing to buy a pint and a cigar then your entrance was free! With the smoking ban now in force The Charing Cross Theatre must charge a little more than that, but it remains a competitively priced, central London venue, giving audiences the chance to see, with ease, a range of entertainment.
Charing Cross Theatre strives to continue the historical spirit of the venue by entertaining audiences with many kinds of events from late night cabarets, plays, comedy and musicals to showcases, fashion shows and music gigs.
The Charing Cross Theatre is beautiful and still has the original Victorian bar at the back of the auditorium with the original Victorian glass panelling, creating an atmosphere that is truly one of a kind. The theatre is perfectly complimented with a newly renovated bar and restaurant which is open until 2.30am. The Charing Cross Theatre is a venue which hardly sleeps.
The Cross' small in-house team are filled with passion and love for the venue, making this a home for all that visit and a place they will want to return to.
Travel by train: Charing Cross. Nearest tube: Charing Cross, Embankment
