Franz & Marie: New Musical Reimagining Woyzeck Announces Full Cast at Charing Cross Theatre

Brenock O’Connor and Jade Oswald lead the cast of Franz & Marie, a haunting new musical inspired by Georg Büchner’s Woyzeck, coming to Charing Cross Theatre from 28 September.

A new musical reimagining of Georg Büchner’s classic tragedy Woyzeck is coming to London this autumn, with the full cast now announced for Franz & Marie at Charing Cross Theatre.

The production will run from 28 September to 14 November 2026, with a press night on 5 October, and will feature a 14-strong company of actor-musicians.

Leading the cast are Brenock O’Connor as Woyzeck and Jade Oswald as Marie. O’Connor is known for screen roles including Game of Thrones and Alex Rider, while Oswald has appeared in productions including Little Women.

The newly adapted musical takes Büchner’s unfinished 19th-century tragedy and gives it a fresh perspective, placing Marie alongside Franz Woyzeck at the centre of the story. Set in a war-torn late-19th-century Europe, the story follows a group of young soldiers stationed at an isolated outpost.

Franz is haunted by nightmares after returning from the front and agrees to undergo medical experimentation by an army doctor in order to earn enough money to support Marie and their baby. As the pressure of poverty, trauma and military life intensifies, the couple's relationship moves towards devastating consequences.

The supporting cast includes Steve Simmonds as Sergeant Ursid, Paula James as Zella, Richard Emerson Gould as Doctor Simian, Matthew Heywood as Drum Major Varg, Max Alexander-Taylor as André Schmitt, Mark Meadows as Captain Peccary, Eve Polycarpou as Vashti and Elaine Hua Jones as Kat. Antony Lam, Anna-Marie Piazza, Emily Panes and Tom Aubrey complete the company, with Aubrey making his professional stage debut.

The production features an indie raw folk score created by Chris Broderick and Rob Shepherd, key members of the cult Kentish band The Singing Loins. The musical was originally commissioned by Korean musical theatre company Acom, before being newly adapted for its London production.

Teresa Howard has adapted the musical from Broderick’s original book and lyrics, with additional music, arrangements and orchestrations by Steven Edis. Michael Oakley directs, with choreography by Ben Wright.

With its combination of folk music, psychological drama and a fresh feminist perspective on one of European theatre’s most enduring tragedies, Franz & Marie promises a distinctive new addition to London’s autumn musical theatre season.

Franz & Marie runs at Charing Cross Theatre from 28 September to 14 November 2026.