Production guidelines for Bernstein’s Candide

Candide is an operetta that looks at the world through satire and comedy. 

Based on Voltaire’s picaresque novel the story follows our optimistic and naïve protagonist, Candide, as he leaves the castle from which he is raised and embarks on a journey where he witnesses multiple hardships and experiences disasters. These include war, theft, slavery, rape, natural disasters, hanging and more before finally discovering that while our world is not ‘the best of all possible worlds’, everyone has the possibility to create the best world for them. 

Please be aware that throughout this operetta there is outdated and explicit language used which some people may find distressing. 

True to the original novel, Bernstein catapults us into this absurd world through dazzling music. Animation will enhance the drama on stage.

Production warnings 

Projections will be used throughout the performance, predominantly in black and white. 

This show may contain flashing lights and there will be one use of a strobe lighting effect.