Cast

Creative Team

ACT I

CHRISTMAS EVE

It’s Christmas Eve and the Bohemians are at home. Rodolfo, a writer, is working on a newspaper article while Marcello, an artist, is painting The Red Sea. Together with their philosopher friend Colline, they try to stay warm by burning one of Rodolfo’s manuscripts. Celebrations ensue when Schaunard, a musician, arrives home with proper fuel for the fire, food for their stomachs and money for entertainment. The boys are about to leave for a night on the town when Benoît drops by, demanding their overdue rent. Fast thinkers, they pull the wool over their bewildered landlord’s eyes before heading out to enjoy the Christmas festivities. However, Rodolfo must finish his writing assignment first, so he promises to join his friends soon at Café Momus. Mimì, a seamstress who lives nearby, knocks on the door in the search of a neighbour’s help. She seems to be a little unwell, but perks up when Rodolfo invites her in. He’s clearly taken with her and it’s not long before she notices that he’s rather special too. They leave together for Momus.

ACT II

LATER THAT NIGHT

The streets of Paris are thronged with last- minute shoppers, sellers and revellers. Rodolfo buys a little hat for Mimì as they walk hand in hand through the heaving markets. But Marcello is in a bad mood and is sickened by the cooing of new love. Recently rejected by Musetta, he’s determined to drown his sorrows in drink. It’s not long before Musetta herself turns up with her client, Alcindoro, in tow. When she sees that Marcello is ignoring her, she gets shot of her sugar daddy and uses her unique ways and means to break Marcello. The Bohemians take advantage of the hubbub created by the arrival of a marching band and slip away, leaving their huge bill to be paid by Alcindoro on his return.

ACT III

A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER

It’s the start of the day for some, while for others it’s time to head home to bed after a night out. Musetta and Marcello are trying to make a go of things, and are working together in a bar. Mimì seeks out Marcello in the hope that he can offer her some advice about her relationship with Rodolfo, who, she says, is moody and jealous. She hides when she sees Rodolfo approaching and eavesdrops on his conversation with Marcello. Before long Rodolfo reveals the real reason for his unhappiness: Mimì is dying. When Rodolfo spots Mimì, he attempts to cover up his brutal words. She tries to leave him but he lovingly persuades her to stay with him until the spring. While Mimì and Rodolfo reminisce tenderly, Marcello and Musetta argue bitterly.

ACT IV

THE SPRING

Rodolfo and Marcello are almost destitute, with neither love nor creature comfort to soothe them. Still, they try to make the best of things with Schaunard and Colline. But when Musetta bursts in, they sense that things are about to get worse: she has found Mimì, alone and distraught outside. While Rodolfo tries to make Mimì comfortable, the rest of the friends leave to try to scrape together some basics. Alone together at last, Mimì can declare her deep love for Rodolfo. The Bohemians return with a hand warmer, some medicine and some money. But they bring too little, too late.