Jacques Brel is Alive and Well & Living in Paris is a musical revue, or juke-box musical, and each of the 23 songs is treated like a mini play. It is a powerful and bold theatrical experience that was an overwhelming success in its original off-Broadway production in 1968 and again in the 2006 revival. It opened in 1968 in New York and played for four years with nearly 2000 performances! The 2006 revival Off-Broadway received several award nominations. Since its inception, the show has been staged in major cities internationally. Brel’s legendary vision of romance, humour and moral conviction is universal and timeless. Originally written by Jacques Brel, the songs were translated into English by Mort Shuman and the poet Eric Blau.

Synopsis
A whirlwind of emotions swathed in colourful rhythms heads to the stage in the upcoming Sing’theatre production, the smash hit Off-Broadway jukebox musical, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. One of the longest-running off-Broadway musical revue of all times, it’s initial run broke box-office records and played to countless sold-out houses.

First staged in Singapore in 2008, Sing’theatre is bringing Brel back to the stage after numerous appeals from the public. The 2008 production gained rave reviews. This upcoming show is also set to mark Sing’theatre’s homecoming to the genre it is commended for, the jukebox musical.

The show features songs which are performed independently, each presented like a mini play. Two men and two women transport the audience on a roller-coaster ride of emotions, spanning from fury and sadness to bliss and love in a whirlwind blend of ballads, tango, bolero, rock and classics. Every chanson touches you with a unique message, ingenuously universal, sometimes poignant yet always full of humour.Jacques Brel is Alive and Well & Living in Pariswill make you think, cry, and laugh. He will also make you angry. And he will make you fall in love.

Bringing Brel’s songs to life with all their wit and grit is a group of four well-known locally-based artists. They are George Chan, Matthew Jasper (Yo Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble), Frances Lee (Fat Pig, Monkey Goes West) and Stephanie Van Den Driesen (college’s President’s Award for Outstanding Performance and Excellence).

Speaking on the appeal of the show, Nathalie Ribette, Founder and Artistic Director of Sing’theatre says:

“Brel’s timeless and powerful songs are made even more relevant in today’s world. Despite recent tumultuous events, numerous acts of courage, kindness and stories of love colour lives all over the world, portraying the resilience and triumph of the human spirit.”

Brel, the Leading Chansonnier

The late Jacques Brel was the leading singer and songwriter of the 1960’s and 1970’s European scene. He was able to share compelling emotions thanks to his powerful lyrics and charismatic presence. Anti-conformist, anti-war poet, singer, songwriter, actor, and director of two films, his fame was linked with songs protesting against inequalities and discrimination, some openly condemning capitalism and dictatorship. Brel’s songs are as timeless as they are universal. They demand the correction of injustices in society, they speak about the power of love, and they add a layer of gaiety to human weaknesses, with self-deprecating humour that Belgians are famous for. Many of his hits have been sung by international stars such as David Bowie, Nina Simone, Shirley Bassey and Sting.“Ne me quitte pas”was translated into“If You Go Away”and made famous by Frank Sinatra.“Le Moribond” was translated into“Seasons in the Sun”and made famous by both Terry Jacks and Westlife.