The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

TH DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

A New Musical

Based on the memoir of Jean-Dominique Bauby

Adapted and Directed by LAURENCE CONNOR

Music and Lyrics by CHARLI EGLINTON

AUDIO & VIDEO LINKS

SONG TITLE LINKS

He Never Stops

Hear Me

Pray

Who'd Have Known

Everyday Miracles

This Isn't Fair

Turning Tides

You're Still Here

Magic Key Lifeboat

Don't Write Him Off

What Would I Say?

Can I?

Slow Down

Shattered Lives

In The Pursuit of Happiness

Bridge Legacy

On Butterfly Wings

INTRODUCTION

On the 8th of December 1995, at the age of 43, Jean-Dominique Bauby had a cerebrovascular seizure whilst driving his son to the theatre. After spending almost two months in a coma, he awoke to discover that he had a condition called Locked-in Syndrome, the symptoms of which render the sufferer completely paralyzed, but in Jean-Dominique’s case, there was an exception of muscle movement in his left eye. After months of rehabilitation, a twenty six letter alphabet was created and arranged in an order of the frequency of use in the French language. With the help of speech therapist, Sandrine Fichou, Jean-Dominique mastered a new way of communication. The reader would slowly read out the alphabet and Jean-Dominique would blink on a letter, create a word, and eventually create a sentence. It was a slow and frustrating process, but one that would allow him the ability to communicate with the outside world.

On Friday 7th March 1997, a memoir of Jean-Dominique’s life and experience of Locked-in syndrome was released, titled ‘The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly’, selling twenty five thousand copies on its first day. Written by Jean-Dominique using the prescribed method and, with the aid of a ghost writer, Claude Mendibil, Mendibil would recite the alphabet and record every letter that Bauby would blink on Letter by letter, they created a one hundred and thirty page manuscript over the course of just a few months.

I was fortunate to read a translated copy of the book in 1998 whilst working as an actor in Northern Ireland. A colleague had gifted the book to me as a Christmas present and I read it cover to cover three times before the New Year.

Jean-Dominique Bauby

So moved by the book and by Jean-Dominique’s perseverance, I instantly knew I wanted to develop something creative within the live theatrical arena, but unfortunately, it would be twenty years before I'd pick the book up again

In 2019 I became very ill. The optic nerves in my eyes had inflamed so badly that, apart from the unbearable headaches, my sight was lost. I was subsequently prescribed a strong course of steroids to bring the inflammation down, but it would be months before I'd regain my full sight again. Whilst I wouldn’t dream of comparing my own condition with what Jean-Dominique went through, I did wonder if my life was ever going to be the same? Would I ever be able to the job that I loved so much again? My sight did improve and when I was able, I read the book again (albeit I had to change the background to black with white writing). With the hope of a full recovery, it was at this point I decided to finally do something with the title.

During the covid lockdown, I was fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of a young composer, Charli Eglinton. Immediately impressed by Charli’s energy and musical style, we had a conversation about the title and started working on it instantly. I had always imagined it being a ballet, but Charli had other ideas and presented three songs to me a few days later The songs were excellent and I felt she had hooked into something with JeanDominique’s humour that is so consistent in the memoir. We were then faced with the challenge of how we give song to a character with paralysis. The decision was made to have two actors play Jean-Dominque, one that would play the physical embodiment, and another, the mind and soul. We set to work and eventually had a first draft book, music and lyrics. On the 15th May 2023, we gathered a group of actors for research and development where the seeds were sown for what I think is a remarkable story.

It has taken almost twenty-five years to get here, but sometimes finding the right collaborator takes time. I am thrilled that I found the right person in Charli.

I hope you enjoy,

Laurence Connor

ACT 1

The scene opens to a fast-paced full production number HE NEVER STOPS (View Act 1 , Scene 1) at an Elle magazine fashion shoot Models and a photographer are busy posing and snapping pictures. Jean-Dominique editorin-chief of the magazine enters and is instantly in charge

Cover of French Elle Magazine - Dec 1996

His magnetic charisma has everyone dancing to his tune instantly. The scene quickly moves to a boardroom where he is working on the layout of the next edition with his team, before shifting to a lunch where Jean-Dominique is the guest of honour. He is charming and has people wanting Jean-Dominique’s attention at all times. The last movement of this scene is Jean-Dominique collecting his son to go on a theatre trip. As the song reaches its climatic end, the scene is suddenly plunged into darkness except Jean-Dominique who is now trapped in a laser light prison.

Jean-Dominque wakes up in room 119, in the Hôpital Maritime, Berck-Sur-Mer almost two months later. From this moment on, he is divided by two performances His body who remains in the locked-in state and his active mind that narrates his story.

He is surrounded by his ex-partner (Sylvie de la Rouchefoucauld), his children (Théophile and Celeste), surgeons and nurses. His neurologist informs him that he has suffered a massive stroke and that he has a rare condition known as Locked-in Syndrome where the patient is lucid but completely paralysed. The sufferer is unable to move a single muscle, but Jean-Dominique does have the ability to blink with just his left eye which is his only means of communication. Devastated by this news, Jean-Dominique vents his frustrations HEAR ME (ViewAct1,Scene2), but convinces himself he can pull through this illness and make a quick recovery.

The next day Jean-Dominique is introduced to speech therapist Sandrine Fichou. She introduces the idea of an alphabet board where the letters are arranged in order of how frequently they appear in the French language. She read’s the alphabet aloud asking Jean-Dominique to blink when she lands on a letter, eventually forming a word, then a sentence.

Jean-Dominique is reluctant to learn, firmly believing he will make a full recovery soon and be out of the hospital within weeks. She leaves him to rest and during his sleep he reflects on a dream he is having He awakes to the terrifying reality of an Ophthamologist sewing up his right eye.

The Ophthamologist praises his bravery and promises to pray for him. PRAY (View Act 1 , Scene 3) Jean-Dominique recalls how there are people all over the globe praying for his recovery, but none more important than the prayer of his daughter Celeste.

Jean-Dominique, now recognising that the Hôpital Maritime is his new home for the foreseeable future, he reflects on the history of the hospital and Berck-sur-Mer WHO’D HAVE KNOWN (View Act 1 , Scene 4) when coming face to face with a statue of the hospital’s patroness Empress Eugénie.

The scene changes and we hear the sounds of heart monitors and general hospital machines at work. The machines seem to play rhythmically and become an orchestration Jean-Dominique shares the ups and downs of his daily routine EVERYDAY MIRICLES (View Act 1 , Scene 5) With the aid of the hospital staff, he his lifted from his bed, bathed, dressed, wheeled around the hospital until he ends up at his favourite spot in the hospital. A balcony that overlooks the lighthouse.

“Through the frayed curtain at my window a wan glow announces the break of day. My heels hurt, my head weighs a ton and something like a giant diving-bell holds my whole body prisoner.”

Maritime Hospital Berck-sur-Mer

We are introduced to the seductive physiotherapist, Brigitte. During one of Jean-Dominique’s physiotherapy sessions, he laments on how unbelievable it is to him that his body doesn’t react when touched by such a beautiful woman. THIS ISN’T FAIR (View Act 1 , Scene 6) He fantasises about dancing a tango with her whilst she rubs his aching limbs.

A few days later Sandrine makes another attempt to encourage Jean-Dominique to use her alphabet board This time he makes an effort to try the method, but quickly becomes impatient by the slow process. They are interrupted by the arrival of Sylvie and the children. Sylvie tells Jean-Dominique that she has spoken to his father, who he refers to as Papinou, who has been asking after him. JeanDominique is reminded of an occasion not long before his illness when he last met with his father to shave him. TURNING TIDES (View Act 1 , Scene 7)

Empress Eugénie

“I came upon the Lighthouse. Tall, robust and reassuring, in red and white stripes that reminded me of a rugby shirt. I at once placed myself under the protection of this brotherly symbol, guardian not just of sailors but of the sick - those castaways on the shores of loneliness.”

At the end of the scene, he becomes aware that Sylvie and the children are with him and are as always being so loving. He becomes very emotional when he reflects on the way he left them for another woman and feels shame for the continued love that they share for him. Sylvie, seeing how upset JeanDominique is getting, encourages the children to go into the hospital’s corridors to buy some chocolate from a vending machine. She comforts JeanDominique, YOU’RE STILL HERE (View Act 1 , Scene 8) promising to remain by his side until he recovers.

Théophile and Celeste are waiting by a vending machine waiting for a doctor to make his choice Celeste is upset that her father has to stay in such a horrible place. Théophile tries to console her by explaining that while it is not the happiest place, it is the best place their father can be.

MAGIC KEY (View Act 1 , Scene 9) Théophile tells Celeste the doctors just need to find the key to unlock him. This sparks Celeste’s imagination into believing that there is a magic key somewhere in the magical kingdom of the Hôpital Maritime.

Sandrine Fichou makes another visit to room 119 to work with Jean-Dominique with her alphabet. He tries to focus but struggles and fails. He becomes overcome with frustration Sandrine can see that it is upsetting him and acknowledges that it isn’t easy. She encourages him to trust her and keep trying LIFEBOAT (View Act 1 , Scene 10) Slowly but surely, with much practice, JeanDominique learns the board and eventually spells the word ‘Merci’ to Sandrine.

“The identity badge pinned to Sandrine’s white tunic says ‘Speech Therapist’, but it should read ‘Guardian Angel’.”

ACT 2

The scene opens to full company production number DON’T WRITE HIM OFF (View Act 2 , Scene 1) We are six months on from our first introduction to JeanDominique Rumours are circulating Paris and the question is being asked "will Jean-Dominique ever recover?". Elle magazine has appointed his replacement and Jean-Dominique, having mastered the alphabet board, is looking for a way to let the world know that he is still here and that his mind is capable. He decides that the only way is to write a book

In a speech therapy session with Sandrine, he receives a call from his father. Sandrine tells Papinou that Jean-Dominique understands every word and she will hold the phone to his ear and will respond for Jean-Dominique.

WHAT WOULD I SAY?

(View Act 2 , Scene 2) Papinou tells him that he misses him and that his heart is broken that he can’t be there for him.

Jean-Dominique takes advantage of a Sandrine session to put a call in to a publisher that he had a deal to write a book with. She call’s Robert Laffont and convinces him that Jean-Dominique wishes to fulfil his obligation and write a memoir of his experience of Locked-in Syndrome. Robert agrees and tell her that he will send a writer to help. Claude Mendibil reveals her concerns for the assignment as she travels to the hospital, CAN I? (View Act 2 , Scene 3) but her fears are quickly dispelled when on meeting Jean-Dominique for the first time, he blinks the message ‘Don’t be afraid’. Both know at once that destiny has brought them together

They immediately get to work Writing day by day with Claude reading out a letter at a time and Jean-Dominique blinking when the right letter is landed on. Before they know it, they have a prologue The question now is, what next? SLOW DOWN (View Act 2 , Scene 4)

Jean-Dominique begins planning out the entire book in his head. He knows that time is not on his side and doesn’t want to waste a second of Claude’s time. He practises in his head exactly what he wants to say He meticulously plans each chapter of his book as if he back as editor-in-chief at Elle Meanwhile, the people close to him become fearful that he is pushing himself too hard.

It is Father’s Day and Sylvie, Celeste and Théophile have taken Jean-Dominique to the beach for some sea air Celeste is showing off her cartwheels to her father, while Théophile wants to play hangman with him. Sylvie recognising that Jean-Dominique is a little overwhelmed by the energy of the children suggest that they let him rest for a while. Then, alone together she reflects on their broken relationship SHATTERED LIVES (View Act 2 , Scene 5) where she vows to put grief and heartbreak to one side for the sake of their children. As Jean-Dominique listens to her, his heart is filled with love, and he feels forgiven.

Back in room 119, Jean-Dominique enjoys watching his friends struggle to use his alphabet blinking system to communicate. He is visited by several of his friends including close friend Vincent who poses the question, “Why don’t you go to Lourdes?” IN THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS (View Act 2 , Scene 6) JeanDominique reflects on a trip that he took there some years ago with an ex-love of his. Then meeting Sylvie, he remembers the years of happiness they shared, before the guilt of work began keeping him away from the family more and more.

Jean-Dominique and Claude Mendibil working on the book.

Beach at Berck-sur-Mer

While working on the final pages of the book, Claude becomes concerned with a cough that Jean-Dominique is struggling with. He doesn’t want her to fuss and refuses medical attention when she suggests it. As she leaves him, to journey back to her hotel, she reflects on the last few months, BRIDGE (View Act 2 , Scene 7) and her admiration for Jean-Dominique’s mind. Their relationship has become so important to her and she is sad that the assignment is almost over.

Weeks later, Jean-Dominique is being transported by ambulance from Paris He has developed pneumonia and is very ill. As he is rushed back, he imagines substitute destinies for himself, ranging from a Tour-de-France long shot to Napoleon’s aid helping him to victory. When he finally settles in the hospital, he acknowledges that his time is running out

LEGACY (View Act 2 , Scene 8) He hopes that through his book, his legacy will be that mind’s will be open to the condition of Locked-in syndrome. He is visited by Claude who tells him that the book has already sold 25,000 copies on its first day. She tells his that he should be so proud of what he has achieved, ON BUTTERFLY WINGS and while enjoying the knowledge that he has achieved what he set out to do, passes away.

“

…even a rough sketch, a shadow, a tiny fragment of a dad is still a dad,”

His body rises from the bed and dances with a freedom, body and mind entwined for the first time since the start of the show. As they leave the stage, a congregation of mourners gather and hold a candle lit vigil While JeanDominique never got to see the full impact of his work, Sylvie tearfully reminds herself that he is now at peace. As the stage empties, Théophile and Celeste light a single candle in his memory.

H E E N D

“Does the cosmos contain keys for opening up my cocoon? A metro line with no terminus? A currency strong enough to buy my freedom back? We must keep looking. I’ll be off now.”

T

LAURENCE CONNOR

Director: Saving Grace (Riverside Studios); Cinderella (Gillian Lynne Theatre); Bad Cinderella (Imperial Theatre Broadway); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (The London Palladium, UK tour); Chess (London Coliseum); Unmasked (The Other Palace); Miss Saigon (Broadway, West End, US tours, UK tours, Australia, Japan, Korea, Austria); School of Rock (Broadway, West End, US tour, UK tour, Australia, China and Korea); Les Misérables (West End, Broadway, US tours, UK tours, Australia, Japan, Korea and Spain); Jesus Christ Superstar (UK and Australian arena tour); The Phantom of the Opera (UK and US tours, Australia, Austria); Oliver! (UK tour).

He directed the 25th anniversary concert of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall and the 25th anniversary concert of Les Misérables at the O2 in London, both of which were simultaneously broadcast in cinemas worldwide and subsequently released on DVD.

DVD credits: Jesus Christ Superstar (world arena tour); The Phantom of the Opera 25th anniversary concert (Royal Albert Hall) and Les Misérables (O2 Arena) and Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre).

Awards: Miss Saigon on Broadway (Tony nomination for Best Revival); Miss Saigon (UK - Manchester Evening News Award for Best Touring Musical, Korea

- Best New Foreign Production and Best Ensemble in a Musical, and Australiathe Green Room Award for Best Director of a Musical) and Les Misérables (UK

- Best Musical at the Manchester Evening News Awards)

CHARLI EGLINTON

Charli is a musical theatre writer (con book, music and lyrics) with a current sla nine original musicals, including ‘Sa Mozart’ currently in development for a London premiere. She is also now part o writing team of the highly anticipated musical ‘Treason’ premiering in full late year, and has an original play with s ‘Wish List’ in development with G Musicals & Perfect Pitch Musicals.

In February 2019, Charli's five-m animated film '8' won Best Short Film Overall Winner of the 2019 Moving Im Awards, as judged by the BFI and pan industry film critics.

That July, having adapted '8' into an original steampunk opera, she directed and produced two sold out runs of the show at the Other Palace Theatre as part of the 2019 Tete A Tete Opera Festival and then at the Asylum Steampunk Festival (the biggest of its kind in the world)

In March 2020, she was one of four international winners of the 2020 NMI New voices project, showcasing new musical theatre by under 25 year olds in Hollywood. Also in March, her original screenplay ‘12 Days’ won Best Screenplay at the 2020 London Independent Film Festival. In May, Charli was a finalist in the 2020 Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Prize, with West End star Fra Fee performing her original song ‘Colour’.

Through Lockdown, Charli organised, produced and mixed 6 remote concept album recordings (from 6 of her shows), including ‘Dyseheart’, starring Broadway’s Telly Leung, and ‘Saving Mozart’ starring SIX’s Maiya-Quansah Breed. In June 2022, having revamped and expanded ‘8’ as a book musical, in collaboration with Drew & Dane Productions, Charli presented an industry workshop of the show at the Other Palace Theatre.

CAST & CREATIVES

CAST (R&D WORKSHOP)

JON ROBYNS

Jean-Dominique Bauby

LAUREN DREW

Brigitte/Claude

AMY WEBB

Sandrine

CREATIVES

LAURENCE CONNOR

Book Adaption

CHARLI EGLINTON

Music and Lyrics

BEN MARK TURNER

Associate Musical Director

AIMIE ATKINSON

Sylvie

NEIL McCAUL

Papinou/Laffont

MADDISON BULLEYMENT

Celeste

LAURENCE CONNOR Director

JOHN RIGBY

Musical Supervisor/Director

JEAN-DOMINIQUE BAUBY

My thanks to

Sylvie de La Rochefoucauld

Théophile Bauby

Celeste Bauby