Candide

A tale of love, loss and luck

Fra Fee star in Leonard Bernstein's comedic operetta about a sheltered and privileged young man who's luck, and life experience, changes abruptly when he is banished from the castle he grew up in. Though the musical wasn't very well received when premiered on Broadway in the 1950s, however it's tale of misfortune has found a place in the public's heart over the years.

This production by the Menier Chocolate Factory sees Matthew White - of the award-winning musical Top Hat - directing a sterling cast which includes Fee as the title character, Candide and Scarlett Strallen as his love interest, Cunegonde. With music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by a team including Bernstein, Richard Wilbur, and Stephen Sondheim, amongst several others. The operetta contains the memorable songs 'Make Our Garden Grow' and 'Glitter and Be Gay'.

What is Candide about?

Candide is a young man who has grown up living in the castle of a German Baron. His privelaged and sheltered life comes to an abruipt end however when he innocently kisses the Baroness' daughter, Cunegonde, and is immediately exiled from the land. Candide recruited by an Army who plan to overthrow the Baron's castle, however his attempts to escape and avoid being implicated in such a terrible act are in vain - the castle is stormed and all inside killed.