Der Mann mit dem Lachen
By Frank Nimsgern, Alexander Kuchinka and Tilmann von Blomberg
World Premiere: Staatsoperette Dresden, April 2019
Synopsis
England at the beginning of the 18th century. The orphan boy Gwynplaine travels the country’s fairs as a performer. The public celebrates him as “The Man with the Laugh,” for his face is distorted into a horrifying permanent grin.
One day, however, it is revealed that Gwynplaine is the long-lost son of a highly respected lord and heir to an immense fortune. Abruptly, the penniless fairground outcast finds himself in the glittering world of the English high aristocracy. Intoxicated by luxury and dazzled by power, he only gradually realizes that things are not as they seem…
After The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Les Misérables, Victor Hugo created another historical novel in 1869 with The Man Who Laughs, whose protagonist is a man struck by fate and rejected by society.
With its moving characters, grand crowd scenes, numerous intrigues and entanglements, and a touching love story, it offers everything required for a breathtaking musical. Composer Frank Nimsgern (Tatort, Der Ring, SnoWhite, Qi, Elements, ARD Television Award winner) and authors Tilmann von Blomberg and Alexander Kuchinka adapted the monumental work exclusively for the Staatsoperette Dresden, creating a dramatically opulent musical.
Performance rights: @franknimsgern@me.com
Music: Frank Nimsgern
Book: Tilmann von Blomberg
Lyrics: Alexander Kuchinka
Awards
Nominated in 4 categories
Press Reviews
“Composer Frank Nimsgern (Tatort, Der Ring, SnoWhite) and authors Tilmann von Blomberg and Alexander Kuchinka (Zzaun!) have adapted the monumental work exclusively for the Staatsoperette Dresden, creating a dramatically opulent musical. Der Mann mit dem Lachen – a wild romantic historical drama that never loses sight of Victor Hugo’s social aspirations. The music – emotional and sincere – promises an exciting musical cocktail of baroque motifs combined with modern grooves, at times folkloristic, rocky, or song-driven.”
“Musically, Frank Nimsgern thankfully does not lean on the most famous of all Victor Hugo musicals (Les Misérables), but instead relies on his own strengths. With his largely symphonic-rock score, he strikes exactly the right tone for the villain Barkilphedro and his campaign of revenge against the title hero Gwynplaine.”
Bericht Blickpunkt Musical 02 19 vis-a-vis Frank Nimsgern
Bericht Blickpunkt Musical 05 19
Creative Team
World Premiere
Director: Andreas Gergen
Conductor: Peter Christian Feigel
Arrangement: Matthias Suschke, Peter Feigel and Frank Nimsgern
Set Design: Sam Madwar
Costumes: Uta Loher and Conny Lüders
Choreography: Simon Eichenberger
Main Cast
World Premiere
Gwynplaine: Jannik Harneit
Dea: Olivia Delauré
Ursus: Elmar Andree
Barkilphedro / Sir William O’Donnell: Christian Grygas
Anne Stuart: Angelika Mann
Sarah Churchill: Anne Schaab
Josiane Darnley: Anke Fiedler
Dr. Hardquannone / Georg: Bryan Rothfuss
Gernardus: Markus Lieske
Aelfred: Jürgen Mai
Reader to the Queen: Friedemann Condé
Michael Dahl, Painter / Master of Ceremonies: Dietrich Seydlitz
Lord Clancharlie: Hauke Möller
Charlotte: Annegret Reißmann / Katharina Spaniel
Gwynplaine as a Child: Jannic Focke / Julio Kramer / Johann Mäke
Gwynplaine as a Youth: Philipp Lukas Finger
Barkilphedro and Dea as Children: Maya Klinner / Zerline Winkler
Servant to Queen Anne / Lord: Vasily Arkhipov
Servant to Barkilphedro / Lord: Andreas Pester
A Couple at the Fair: Judith Nawrocki, Martin Gebhardt
Court Bailiff / Lord: Tobias Märksch
Stable Master / Torturer / Lord: Christian Berger
Housekeeper: Inka Lange
Uniformed Officer / Lord: Mirko Poick
Footman: Leonardo Paoli
Herald: Daniel Müller
Lord Chancellor: Dag Hornschild
Lords: Friedemann Condé, Martin Gebhardt, Georg Güldner, Ji Hoon Kim, Michael Wagner
Fairground Performers: Miriam Aßmann, Florentine Reichelt, Eric Elbing (Members of the Saxon School of Circus Arts e.V.)
Images: Staatsoperette Dresden
Official Videos
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Score Samples
FAQ about the Production
Here you will find the most frequently asked questions and answers about DER MANN MIT DEM LACHEN – clearly summarized for quick reference.
