Stage Door Records have announced the previously unreleased original studio cast recording of the 1985/86 Joan Of Arc musical 'Jeanne' will be released on May 25th, 2015. The CD release continues Stage Door's commitment to preserve 'lost' British theatre scores of the past 50 years.
A legendary heroine brought vibrantly to life in an ambitious musical; Jeanne is the dramatic story of one of history's most charismatic and courageous women, Joan of Arc. Olivier Award nominated singer song-writer
Shirlie Roden composed 'Jeanne' over a five month period in 1981. She continued to work on its development in the following years, working closely with music producer
John Miller, theatre producer
Bill Kenwright, and creating additional rewrites under the guidance of director
Robin Phillips. The epic rock-opera premiered at
Birmingham Repertory Theatre in September 1985, starring Siobhan McCarthy in the title role alongside
Peter Straker and Malcolm Roberts. The production subsequently transferred to London's Sadler's Wells for a limited season in March 1986 directed by
Bill Kenwright, starring
Rebecca Storm as Jeanne.
'Jeanne' traces the story of the legendary fifteenth-century Joan of Arc, a young peasant girl destined for greatness, who claims to have been chosen by God to liberate her country and to crown the Dauphin as King of France. The dramatic raising of the siege of Orleans finds Jeanne fulfilling her vision, standing beside the Dauphin as he is crowned. After failing to retake Paris, Jeanne is later captured and taken to Rouen to stand trial where her destiny is sealed as she is condemned as a heretic and sentenced to be burned alive.
The previously unreleased original studio cast album, recorded during the show's development, now makes its debut on CD featuring composer
Shirlie Roden as Jeanne alongside
Richard Barnes ('Jesus Christ Superstar' - Original London Cast),
Peter Straker ('Hair' - Original London Cast) and
Carl Wayne ('Blood Brothers').
JEANNE - ORIGINAL STUDIO CAST RECORDING
Music & Lyrics:
Shirlie Roden
1. FILLE DE DIEU / CHILD OF GOD / NOW IS THE TIME -
Shirlie Roden, Paul Field, Annie McCaig, Mo Turner
2. BORN TO BE FOOL - Adrian Snell, Paul Field,
Carl Wayne,
Shirlie Roden,
Richard Barnes
3. HAS OUR FLOWER BEEN DEFLOWER'D? - Pam Travis, Courtiers, Ladies In Waiting
4. A HIGHLY IRREGULAR GAME - Ashley Keech,
Michael Dore, Jonathan Rathbone,
Shirlie Roden,
Richard Barnes
5. LIONHEART -
Shirlie Roden,
Richard Barnes
6. ORLEANS -
Shirlie Roden,
Richard Barnes, The Voices, Soldiers
7. SHINE ON -
Shirlie Roden,
Richard Barnes, Company
8. BURN HER BRIDGES - Adrian Snell, Paul Field,
Carl Wayne, Company
9. SILVER LINING -
Richard Barnes,
Shirlie Roden
10. ACT OF ACCUSATION - Company
11. THE TRIAL -
Peter Straker,
Shirlie Roden, Company
12. CARTE BLANCHE -
Peter Straker,
Shirlie Roden
13. BITTERSWEET -
Shirlie Roden
14. THE BURNING -
Shirlie Roden,
Peter Straker, Company
