The Old Vic has announced the full cast for a new semi-staged production of Martin Guerre, directed by Matthew Warchus, set to run for five weeks from October 1 to 31, 2026. The musical, by Les Misérables creators Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, will feature fresh music, lyrics and folk-inflected orchestrations in a production marking 30 years since its London premiere.

The semi-staged production of Martin Guerre will be performed in the round at The Old Vic in London, with a press night scheduled for October 20, 2026. The cast includes Alex James-Hatton and Shane O’Riordan both portraying Martin, alongside Liv Andrusier as Bertrande, the young peasant woman at the heart of the story.

Set in 16th-century rural France, the musical relates the tale of Bertrande, whose husband Martin abandons their village only to return years later as a changed man claiming to be him. The intimate staging promises to emphasise the story’s themes of truth, deception and passionate love.

Martin Guerre initially premiered at the Prince Edward Theatre in 1996 and has since undergone several major revisions. Its creators Schönberg and Boublil, famed for Les Misérables and Miss Saigon, expressed enthusiasm for bringing this “timeless story” back to life and introducing it to new audiences after three decades.

This production features new music and lyrics by Boublil, Annabel Mutale Reed and Paul Hodge, with additional material contributed by Hodge, while original French lyrics remain by Boublil. The fresh folk-inflected orchestrations are expected to add a new dimension to the score.

The creative team is led by director Matthew Warchus, with Rob Howell responsible for set and costume design, Lizzi Gee as choreographer and Hugh Vanstone handling lighting design. Other design and production roles include sound by Fergus O’Hare and orchestrations by Tom Curran.

Musical supervision is by Chris Poon, with Matthew Jackson directing musically. The casting was managed by Will Burton of Grindrod Burton Casting, and the team includes assistant director Jennifer Lane Baker and associate designers Megan Rouse and Lucy Gaiger.

The 2026 staging represents a significant revisitation of Martin Guerre, reflecting ongoing interest in revising and exploring mid-1990s British musicals. The Old Vic’s choice of this reimagined version highlights the musical’s blend of historical drama and emotional complexity in a newly crafted theatrical setting.