The new musical Franz & Marie, a reimagining of Georg Büchner’s Woyzeck with a feminist focus, has revealed its cast for a Charing Cross Theatre run this autumn. The production places Marie alongside Franz Woyzeck as central characters in a fresh adaptation.

Franz & Marie, which opens at Charing Cross Theatre from 28 September to 14 November, features a 14-strong actor-musician company. Leading the cast are Brenock O’Connor and Jade Oswald in the title roles.

The musical was developed with a book and lyrics by Chris Broderick and music composed jointly by Rob Shepherd and Broderick. The piece has been newly adapted by Teresa Howard, with additional arrangements and orchestrations by Steven Edis.

Michael Oakley directs the production, with choreography by Ben Wright. The cast includes Steve Simmonds as Sergeant Ursid, Paula James as Zella, and Richard Emerson Gould as Doctor Simian, among others.

Also involved are Matthew Heywood as Drum Major Varg, Max Alexander-Taylor as André Schmitt, Mark Meadows as Captain Peccary, and Eve Polycarpou as Vashti. Elaine Hua Jones plays Kat, and the company is rounded out by Antony Lam, Anna-Marie Piazza, Emily Panes, and Tom Aubrey.

The score originated with a commission by Acom and was first staged in an earlier version at Seoul’s LG Arts Center in 2014. Broderick and Shepherd, both members of The Singing Loins, initially created the music.

Franz & Marie’s adaptation shifts the narrative by foregrounding Marie as a co-protagonist alongside Franz, providing a new gendered perspective on Büchner’s classic drama.

The production reflects ongoing theatrical interest in revisiting canonical works through modern and feminist lenses, aiming to bring fresh voices and viewpoints to established stories.