SEDOS

The best of all possible worlds.

Candide is a large, beautiful work of art. Since its successful 1973 Broadway revival, Candide has had many productions in both theatres and opera houses.

In 1759, Voltaire, a renowned philosopher, wrote the novella Candide, or l'Optimisme to satire the current philosophical discussion around "the problem of evil" (why does God allow bad things to happen). In the story, Candide's naivety is torn down through fantastical adventures. Voltaire viciously satires man's inhumanity to man, slavery, war, religion, governments, philosophers, and adventure and romance novels themselves.

In 1956, greats including Lillian Hellman, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim turned this into one of the most beautiful scores in musical theatre. The original book was revamped for a successful 1973 revival. In 1999, John Caird revamped it yet again for the National, adding wit, focus and pace to the beautiful music and strong themes.

Directed by Michael Smith
Written by Adapted from Voltaire by Hugh Wheeler, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Richard Wilbur
Presented by Sedos.