Stephen Keeling
Composer
@keeling_stephen
NIGHT SHOOT
A musical tale
of the French
Resistance
Music by Stephen Keeling
Story, book and lyrics by Jonathan Miles
The musical is set around the filming of Les Enfants du Paradis in Nice, in Nazi occupied France and centres on brother and sister Lucien and Blanche Dombâsle who are in the Resistance. Listen to To Victory and Les Collettes below.
the film proclaimed the soul of France
– its crew and cast fought for French freedom
The Show - Overview
When the French classic, Les Enfants du Paradis was filmed in Nice during World War II, many of the cast and extras were involved in clandestine activities. Some were members of the Resistance but others collaborated with the Germans.
Set around the filming of Les Enfants du Paradis, the musical tells an original story of lives torn apart by war. Siblings, Blanche and Lucien, are united in their struggle against the Nazis as the cast and crew of Les Enfants lead a dangerous double life.
Act I takes place in Spring 1944.
Act II takes place between June and mid-August of the same year.
Please note 'Night Shoot' is an original story.
LATEST NEWS
As of Autumn 2017 we now have a complete show!
The first complete read-through was held on September 26th 2017.
In July 2019 Benjamin Froehlich recorded four new songs from the show. Listen to them on the online album.
CHARACTERS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Marcel Carné Director of Les Enfants du Paradis
Robert le Vigan First casting of Jericho for the film – a Nazi collaborator
Georges A film extra and Resistant
Blanche Dombâsle A beautiful young librarian
Lucien Dombâsle Blanche’s brother, film extra and Resistant
André Blanche’s almost ex-boyfriend, film extra and Resistant
Jacques Prévert Poet and scriptwriter of Les Enfants du Paradis
The Commandant Commander of the German forces on the Riviera
The actress, Arletty, who plays Garance in the film
Helmut A Nazi soldier
Karl A Nazi soldier with anti-Nazi beliefs
Gabriel Poet, film extra, would-be resistant and smitten with Blanche
Jean-Bernard A mysterious confidence trickster
Pierre Renoir Second casting of Jericho – son of the Impressionist painter
Über-leutnant Neumann The Commandant’s ruthless deputy
Über-leutnant Schlauss A German officer
Ensemble who play various parts.
ORIGINAL DEMO RECORDING CREDITS
David Shannon (As I Go On Wanting*,
Between The Dream and the Street,
Gala Soirée,)
Lana Green (Illusion, He Chatters*)
John Burline (Jericho Knows*, Germany Calling)
Russell Wilcox (Gala Soirée*),
Laura Michelle Kelly, Annicka Birt, Andrea Stevens.
Recorded at Green Studios, London
COPYRIGHT © Story, Music, Book and Lyrics Miles/Keeling
All rights reserved.
* The sheet music to As I Go On Wanting, Jericho Knows
He Chatters and Gala Soirée is available on Score Exchange