Alain Marcel (1952 — 9 March 2020) was an Algerian-born French music composer and author.[1][2] An important figure of musical theatre and musical comedy in the 1980s, he notably adapted the French versions of Little Shop of Horrors, Kiss Me, Kate, and La Cage aux Folles.
Alain Marcel | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1952 |
| Died | 9 March 2020 (aged 67–68) |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation(s) | Composer Author |
| Years active | 1974—2020 |
Biography
editMarcel studied musical theatre at the Conservatoire de Tours, then at the Conservatoire de Paris. He wrote his first song in 1975 when he was a student of Antoine Vitez.
Marcel initially acted in television and films, while also composing, producing, and appearing in theatrical productions such as Essayez donc nos pédalos and Rayon femmes fortes. In total, he was involved in 570 performances.[3] Essayez donc nos pédalos was choreographed by Tonie Marshall, and it explored homosexuality while it was still criminal.[4]
His greatest success was in the field of musical theatre. He starred in the French versions of Little Shop of Horrors, Kiss Me, Kate, and La Cage aux Folles. He performed at the Théâtre Déjazet, Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, Casino de Paris, and Théâtre Mogador.[5]
In the 2000s, Marcel gradually returned to music, composing music for the shows Le Paris d'Aziz et Mamadou,[6] L'Opéra de Sarah (both at the Théâtre de l'Œuvre),[7] and Encore un tour de pédalos.[8]
Alain Marcel died on 9 March 2020, at the age of 68.
Theatre
editActor
edit- Le Sexe faible (1974)
- Les papas naissent dans les armoires (1978)
- Essayez donc nos pédalos (1979)
- Lulu (2003)
- Perthus (2008)
- Rue de Babylone (2012)
- Le Banquet d'Auteuil (2014)
Director
edit- Scènes de chasse en Bavière (1975)
- Essayez donc nos pédalos (1979)
- Rayon femmes fortes (1983)
- Le Barbier de Séville (1983)
- L'Italienne à Alger (1984)
- Les Mariés de la tour Eiffel (1985)
- La Petite Boutique des horreurs (1986)
- Tam tam au pays des noirs-blancs (1986)
- Palier de crabes (1987)
- Peter Pan (1991)
- Kiss Me, Kate (1992)
- La Cage aux folles (1999)
- Le Paris d'Aziz et Mamadou (2004)
- Perthus (2008)
- L'Opéra de Sarah - avant l'Amérique (2009)[9]
- Encore un tour de pédalos (2010)[10]
Author
edit- Essayez donc nos pédalos (1979)
- Rayon femmes fortes (1983)
- Le Paris d'Aziz et Mamadou (2004)
- Algérie Chérie (2009)
- L'Opéra de Sarah - avant l'Amérique (2009)
- Encore un tour de pédalos (2010)
Composer
edit- Essayez donc nos pédalos (1979)
- Rayon femmes fortes (1983)
- Si jamais je te pince !... (1980)
- Le Paris d'Aziz et Mamadou (2004)
- Encore un tour de pédalos (2010)
Filmography
editFilms
edit- Gloria (1977)[11]
- Rape of Love (1978)
- Diva (1981)
- The Cheat (1984)
Television
edit- Jean-Christophe (1978)
- Ce diable d'homme (1978)
- Une femme, une époque (1978)
- Les Eygletière (1978)
- Elle voulait faire du cinéma (1983)
References
edit- ^ "Portrait – Alain Marcel (Metteur en scène, auteur et compositeur)". Brame Magazine (in French). 27 January 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- ^ "Adieu Alain Marcel". Regard en Coulisse (in French). 11 March 2016.
- ^ "Alain Marcel - Théâtre du Rond-Point Paris". Théâtre du Rond-Point Paris (in French).
- ^ "Alain Marcel, le précurseur du musical". franceinfo (in French). 22 August 2013.
- ^ "Alain Marcel". THEATREonline.com (in French).
- ^ "Dernières actualités sur Alain Marcel". L'Express (in French).
- ^ "Alain Marcel". L’avant-scène théâtre (in French).
- ^ ""Encore un tour de pédalos" d'Alain Marcel au théâtre du Rond-Point du 23 novembre au 31 décembre". Musical Avenue (in French). 18 November 2010.
- ^ "Perthus, au Petit Marigny". L'Express (in French). 27 March 2009.
- ^ "Critique: "Encore un tour de pédalos" d'Alain Marcel, au Théâtre du Rond-Point". Musical Avenue (in French). 9 December 2010.
- ^ "Alain Marcel". UniFrance (in French).