Music: Julien Salvia
Lyrics: Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal
Book: Anthony Michineau
Adapted from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale "The Little Match Girl"
English Adaptation of Book & Lyrics:
Michael Conley
The cold winter rages in the streets of London… A young orphan girl, Emma, is brought in an orphanage after the death of her grandmother. The place is ruled by the terrible Collins, who sends the little girl in the streets, forcing her to sell nine matches to gain the right to sleep in the household…
Emma does not manage to sell any of her matches: frozen, she decides to strike one to warm herself up. She is instantaneously transported into a fantastic imaginary kingdom. There, she is back with her grandmother, who is none other than the Queen. Emma herself is welcomed as a princess.
But in this kingdom, Fragotov, a cruel sorcerer, kidnaps Emma’s grandmother to lure the little girl in a trap… and steal her soul!
All night long, Emma will multiply the encounters and the adventures, with a pseudo-magician, a not so monstrous monster, and more or less ferocious pirates.
Nothing will stop Emma in her struggle to find a way to defeat Fragotov and save her grandmother, not even the cold of the streets of London…
2019-2020: China Tour.
2018-2019: Paris, Théâtre de la Renaissance (600 seats) and French Tour.
2015-2017 : Paris, Théâtre du Gymnase Marie-Bell (800 seats) and French Tour.
2016 : New York, The Cell. Presentation as part of New York Theatre Barn's New Works Series.
2014-2015 : Paris, Théâtre du Palais-Royal (716 seats)
2017: Nominated for the 2017 Trophées de la Comédie Musicale (French Musicals Awards) for the "Best Revival", Paris
2016: Nominated for the 2016 Molière Award for “Best Family Show”, Paris
Reviews
“You too will fall for this little matchgirl. ” BFM TV
“Magical and fantastic! Welcome to Heaven!” FRANCE 3
“A stunningly beautiful show” LE FIGARO
“A show which is full of ambition and talent. […] Adapting the famous Andersen tale was not easy. But the challenge is taken up, hands down. The Théâtre du Palais-Royal is a marvellous box for this jewel of musical theatre! The audience is blown away.” LE PARISCOPE
“An enchanting adventure.” LE PARISIEN
“Wonderful moments, a magical atmosphere, funny and appealing characters.” 20 MINUTES
“The songs serve the story incredibly well.” FÉMINA
“A lot of fun and applauses for this excellent moment we share… even for those who have not been children for long! […] You cannot miss The Little Matchgirl, for this show is really high standard.” MUSICALS IN EUROPE
"Just as if the magics of Disney and Broadway had met…” PARIS, MAMAN ET MOI
“ Clever writing, with a very good pace. The tunes composed by Julien Salvia are all effective. […] Funny, magical and full of tenderness, this Little Matchgirl is simply a very beautiful musical you should consume to your heart’s content.” REGARD EN COULISSE
"This show is different for it mixes serious matters with emotion and magic. […] The Little Matchgirl is more than a musical, it is an initiatory and musical story we are surprised to live with our heart and soul. And with dialogues by Anthony Michineau in association with the songs and music of the Vidal-Salvia writing team (a label of almost guaranteed quality!), you have no reason to stay away from your pleasure.” MUSICAL AVENUE
“5 stars […] spellbinding tunes.” TOUTE LA CULTURE