Vagabond Skies: Show synopsis
Our story begins in 1880, when Vincent van Gogh was a preacher in the coalfields of the Borinage (Underground). Disheartened by the lack of response from the mining community, Vincent writes to his brother Theo, who offers his support (Brother of Mine). Theo encourages Vincent to pursue his artistic endeavors and offers to sponsor his training at an Art Academy in Brussels where he meets Anthon van Rappard (What is My Destiny/While Good Men Sleep).
Vincent’s travels take him to The Hague where he meets Sien Hoornik (The Seven Seas) and lives with her for almost two years, but their relationship is fragile and ultimately flawed (Argument 1/ Born to Lose). Sien is separated from Vincent by her family (Torn Apart) and Vincent travels to Paris where Theo is now a successful art dealer at the Boussod and Valadon gallery (King of the Boulevard).
Vincent spends time with many emerging artists including Paul Gauguin, and drinks at Le Café du Tamborin, owned by Agostina Segatori (Time of Our Lives). He continues to paint but is jealous of Theo’s success (Argument 2). After lashing out at Theo, he seeks the guidance of Agostina (You Burn Like a Fire) who tells him to move on from Paris.
Vincent settles in Arles (Yellow House) and makes great friends in Josef Roulin (The Postman) and Rachel who works in the café. He is keen to establish a ‘colony of artists’ so enthusiastically welcomes Gauguin to the Yellow House (Two Damaged Souls). After just 6 weeks their relationship turns sour (Into the Darkness 1 and 2) and after a particularly volatile argument, Rachel and Gauguin talk with the locals about Vincent the ‘madman’ (Gauguin’s Song).
Overhearing this, and seeing Gauguin and Rachel together, Vincent is angry once again and attacks Gauguin (Attack in the Brothel Garden). His mental health in decline, he cuts off part of his ear (Into the Darkness 3) and presents it to Rachel (Gauguin’s Song reprise).
Back in Paris, Theo reads a letter from a young doctor, Felix Rey, who assures him that Vincent is not insane, but suffering from epilepsy (Epilepsy). In Arles, the locals are not so forgiving, and they torment Vincent as he paints in the countryside (Look at the Madman).
Vincent writes to Theo explaining that he would like to go voluntarily to the asylum in St Remy for his own safety and Johanna reassures Theo that he can do no more for his brother than he has done (Our Own Lives). Vincent arrives at the asylum and his creativity sparks, creating almost 150 paintings in one year (Asylum). However, his mental health is still delicate and he laments his lost loves (Strawberries in the Spring).
Theo takes Vincent to Paris and offers him the opportunity for a showing of his work, but Vincent feels too weak to face the pressure of such an event. Theo reaffirms his promise to love and support his brother (Return to Paris).
Theo stages a viewing of Vincent’s work but the art critics of Paris are ferociously disparaging (Don’t Waste Your Time on Him). At his lowest ebb, Vincent stands in the cornfields of Auvers-sur-Oise and shoots himself in the abdomen (Death of Vincent). Theo rushes to be with him on his deathbed.
After his passing, the women from his life mourn him (Vagabond Skies). Just six months after Vincent’s death, Theo passes away and his wife Johanna commits to sharing Vincent’s artwork with the world and telling the story of these two brothers (Johanna’s Song).