Worshipped opera singer, renowned swordswoman, flaming bisexual… Julie D’Aubigny is the 17th century queer icon you’ve probably never heard of. Epic, original musical JULIE: The Musical brings her incredible story to life at The Other Palace this summer.
In this original musical from Le Gasp! Productions (Tit Swingers, 2024), Julie’s determination to transcend 17th century ideals prevails in a queer-lead show that celebrates nonconformity and unapologetic chaos. With characters played by all genders, multiple musical genres and no set instrumentation, JULIE is paving the way to a new era of musical theatre; one that champions accessibility and inclusivity in every way.
Audiences are guided back in time by Julie herself, spilling the trials and tribulations of being the first ever recorded, openly bisexual, woman. JULIE tells endless, riotous (and mostly factual) tales that include seducing nuns, duelling multiple men at once, burning down convents, being bribed by royalty, and innovating Opera. Through a life of rule breaking and trendsetting, Julie D’Aubigny forged her own path through a world of strict social boundaries, bucking the trends of anything and anyone who came before her.
As a queer, non-binary and autistic creative, Abey Bradbury’s first ever full-length musical is ambitious and scrappy; bursting at the seams with live music, comedy, tap dancing sword fights, twerking nuns and kazoo choruses. It celebrates the extraordinary life of this 17th century icon. It celebrates queerness. But most of all, it celebrates carving a place for yourself in a world not built for you.
Abey Bradbury, Book and Lyrics writer and composer, comments, It feels a bit bizarre to be writing this if I'm honest - 3 years ago I had just finished researching this French-Opera-Singing-Sword-Fighting-Bisexual and was picking out melodies on a tiny 32 key midi keyboard, and now it's back again for the third time by very popular demand. JULIE: The Musical is loud and joyous and very much here! I hope everyone finds something for them in this story of one of history's
most chaotic characters, and that we’ve made something as authentic and unapologetic as Julie was - and mostly that we’ve made something Julie herself would be proud of.
Conor Dye, Director and Producer, comments, JULIE is a story that has stuck with me since I ever first read the script... No matter where you are, or where you’re from - you are not alone.
Everything you’ve felt, someone has felt before you; and despite it all, they kept on moving. That’s one thing I hope audiences can take away from this show – if not the catchy songs and the one-liners - that life is worth living however you want to live it. So just like Julie, go out and be wild. Live like it’s the last chance you’ll get and sing like everyone is watching.
After its first run at The Other Palace, JULIE was a finalist at the Offies for Best New Musical 2024.
Dates 13th June - 30th June
Location The Other Palace, (studio) 12 Palace Street, London SW1E 5JA
Presented by Le Gasp! Productions
Croft & Dye Productions
Director Conor Dye (He/him)
Composer Abey Bradbury (They/she)
Designer Rebecca Cox (She/her)
Running time 2 hours (including a 15 minute interval)
