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, Peter Straker and Carl Wayne.

'JEANNE' - ORIGINAL STUDIO CAST

The Voices (St. Michael, St. Catherine, St. Margaret):
Paul Field, Annie McCaig, Mo Turner
Jeanne: Shirlie Roden
Archbishop of Reims: Adrian Snell 
(except A Highly Irregular Game sung by Ashley Keech)
Duc de la Tremoille: Paul Field 
(except A Highly Irregular Game sung by Michael Dore )
Charles the Dauphin: Carl Wayne 
(except A Highly Irregular Game sung by Jonathan Rathbone)
Duc d'Alencon: Richard Barnes
Yolande, Queen of Sicily - the Dauphin's Mother-in-Law: Pam Travis
Ladies in waiting Cecile, Dominique : Debi Doss, Shirlie Roden
Pierre Cauchon, the Bishop of Beavais: Peter Straker
Isambard de la Pierre: Rod Edwards
D'Estivet: James Litherland

Chorus vocals throughout: 
Carl Wayne, Richard Barnes, Debi Doss, Shirlie Roden, Rod Edwards plus Paul French, Michael Dore, Jonathan Rathbone on A Highly Irregular Game

RELEASE DATE: MAY 25th, 2015
BARCODE: 5055122190400

• UNRELEASED STUDIO CAST ALBUM

• DIGITALLY REMASTERED FROM ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES

• 12 PAGE BOOKLET

• FEATURES DETAILED SLEEVE NOTES BY COMPOSER SHIRLIE RODEN

 
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, Debi Doss 
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