Neil BakerJulie: The Musical is playing at The Other Palace from 13th – 30th June 2024. BOOK TICKETS
Do you know the story of Julie D’Aubigny? Probably not; after all, she was born in 1673 in France and died in 1707. But as possible LGBTQ+ icons go, she may be one of the most interesting, even though much of her life remains shrouded in gossip and mystery. In 1835, she would inspire the French poet and novelist Théophile Gautier, becoming the template for “Mademoiselle de Maupin”, a woman who used multiple disguises to seduce men and women. Now, of course, we know that Mademoiselle de Maupin was fictional. Still, there is no doubt that some truth snuck through from Julie’s life as an opera singer, friend to the court of King Louis XIV, swordstress, and all-around sexual rebel who generated fascination wherever she went.
Of course, it is easy to apply modern-day labels to Julie, from bisexual to icon, without the complete historical picture. But one thing is without question: Julie D’Aubigny was a tour-de-force, a rebel and just one of the many avant-garde women sidelined throughout history. Now, writer, actor and musician Abey Bradbury brings her story to life in a wild, witty and wonderfully warm homage to Julie (or Jules) as she is casually known. Julie: The Musical is Horrible Histories meets metatheatre meets farce, as delightfully catchy songs, engaging performances, and the musical prowess of Bradbury, Sam Kearney-Edwardes, Melinda Orengo, and Zachary Pang take centre stage in this instant queer theatre classic.
For all its wonder and wit, there are several weaknesses in director Conor Dye and Bradbury’s intimate musical. Julie: The Musical occasionally feels too long, with the second act struggling to match the speed, humour and freewheeling energy of the first. Equally, audience participation can be hit or miss, as is often the case with us overly-reserved Brits. But despite these minor niggles, Bradbury’s love letter to Julie D’Aubigny is incredibly fun and surprisingly tender as it explores the life of a woman who broke all the rules only to remain a hostage to the oppressive social boundaries of 17th Century French society.
Bradbury, Kearney-Edwardes, Orengo, and Pang may play with us in creating vibrant characters, brilliantly timed one-liners, earworm melodies, and rock opera bangers. But they also understand the oppression Julie D’Aubigny would have faced as she attempted to navigate a changing France under the absolute monarchy of Louis XIV. Here, Bradbury’s wild and witty musical often pauses for moments of reflection, allowing the audience to catch their breath as they explore the shadows surrounding Julie’s attempts to live a life free from constraint.
Julie: The Musical is an eclectic mix of rock, folk, pop music, and poetic ditties that offers something for everyone. This superb quartet of performers relish the freewheeling and, at times, off-the-cuff freedom Bradbury’s play and music clearly provide. And as the curtain comes down on Julie: The Musical, you are left feeling that no two performances are the same as you step out of The Other Palace’s intimate, cabaret-style studio space with a broad smile on your face, humming several of the bangers Bradbury’s delightfully eccentric musical offers.
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