Counting the explosive musicals in Shanghai in the past two years, "Rock Mozart" is an indispensable one, which not only makes a number of actors such as Xiaomi and old flights continue to become popular, but also makes the French musical, a small language musical, popular and become synonymous with extreme romance.
From producers, directors to songwriters, the creative team of "Rock Red and Black" overlaps with "Rock Mozart", and even the musical style is similar, following the French rock style.
Stills from Rock 'n' Roll Red and Black
Adapted from the Famous Red and Black by the French writer Stendhal, "Rock and Roll Red and Black" tells the story of the lifelong struggle of the young careerist Yu Lian, and his love-hate feud with the mayor's wife Dreena and the marquis's daughter Mathilde.
In September 2016, "Rock and Roll Red and Black" premiered at the Palais de Paris Theater, when Jullien was played by the popular "The Voice of France" player Como, singing well, good looks, this "little fresh meat" was once known as "Yulian who came out of the book".
On October 3 at SAIC Shanghai Culture Square, "Rock 'n' Roll Red and Black" will open the curtain on Chinese performances, with Jullien also starring Como, Madame Drena also played by Elaine from "The Voice of France", and the villain Valerno being played by an old flight that Shanghai audiences are very familiar with.
Cuomo, 25, was born in France. He debuted as a singer, formed a band, released some singles, but at first he did not think of acting in musicals, let alone acting in Jullien. On the recommendation of the artistic director of The Voice of France, Cuomo met with the producers of "Rock and Roll Red and Black", unexpectedly closed each other's eyes, and was quickly fixed.
In the novel, Jullien is the son of a carpenter, young and handsome, shrewd and capable, and from an early age he hoped to join the upper class with the help of personal efforts and struggles. When he was working as a governess at the local mayor's house, he hooked up with the mayor's wife and fled to the seminary after the matter was revealed. On the recommendation of the dean of the seminary, he went to Paris to serve as a private secretary to the Marquis of Larmor, and was soon appreciated. At the same time, Jullien had an affair with the daughter of the Marquis. Under the planning of the church, the mayor's wife was forced to write a whistle-blowing letter to reveal Yu Lian, and his soaring boom was destroyed. Enraged, Yu lian shot and wounded the mayor's wife and walked to the guillotine.
"Jullien was a man who wanted to improve his social status, his idol was Napoleon, although he was born very low, he tried to rise through religion and other ways to change his destiny." Cuomo interprets the role this way.
As for the connection between Jullien and rock and roll, Cuomo believes that rock singers are generally very rebellious, keen to make their voices heard in social systems and other aspects, and yearn for independence, openness and freedom, which is the similarity between them.
There are 21 songs in the play, continuing the melodic strengths of French musicals, almost the first ear scratch, of which the most popular song "Glory Bows to Me", which is the theme song of Jullien. To highlight the rock 'n' roll atmosphere, a rock band of 5 musicians will be accompanied by a live band on stage.
Unlike traditional musicals, Rock Red & Black has almost no physical set, and all the story backgrounds are presented in 3D multimedia. In fact, 3D multimedia is very expensive and not cheaper than doing real scenes.