Piaf
French singer Edith Piaf (1915-1963) was a cultural icon in her own lifetime. Her ballads"Le Vie en Rose" (1946) and "Non, je ne Regrette Rien" (1960) are instantly recognisable to audiences around the world.
Much of Edith's early life is shrouded in mystery. She rose to stardom against the seedy backdrop of interwar Paris. She was discovered by nightclub owner Louis Leplée who nicknamed her "La Môme Piaf" or "The Little Sparrow". Leplée launched a huge publicity campaign for Edith's 1935 début which was attended by the great and the good. Carried on the wings of her extraordinary talent Piaf's journey was one of triumph and tragedy.
Pam Gems' uncompromising portrayal vividly captures the glamour and squalor, the rise and fall of this complex, fragile and enigmatic performer.
| Cast | |
| Edith Piaf | Jenny Strawson |
| Toine | Lauren Breese |
| Marlene | Francesca Tomlinson |
| Louis Leplée | Andy Aiken |
| Emil, Georges, Jacques | Simon Stevens |
| Legionnaire, Cerdan | Leigh McDonald |
| Jean, Boxer, German Soldier | Ricky Harris |
| Little Louis, Yves | Peter Cornish |
| Eddie, Dope Pusher | Tom Carr |
| Police Inspector, Doctor | Colin Cuthbert |
| Bruno | Michael Blair |
| Raymond, Charles | Jake Wilson Craw |
| Louis | Stuart Laidler |
| Madeleine | Sarah McLane |
| American Officer, Lucien | Steven Wallace |
| Nurses | Dianne Edwards, Val Russell |
| Monsieur Vaimbert | Tom Robson |
| Theo, German Soldier | Joe McLaughlin |
| Accordionist | Lucy Falkenau |
| Crew | |
| Director | Gordon Russell |
| Assistant Director | Brian Green |
| Musical Director | Bob Jeffrey |
| Music arranged by | Bob Jeffrey, Jonathan Trevor |
| Band | Bob Jeffrey, Raymond Newton, Clair Trevor, Jonathan Trevor |
| Stage Manager | Naomi Browne |
| Lighting Design & Operation | Tim Swinton |
| Sound | Keith Nicholson |
| Sound Engineer | Jason Oakley |
| Wardrobe | Dianne Edwards, Zoë Fraser, Becky Swinton, Katie Watson |
| Properties | Leah Page, June Green |
| Rehearsal Prompt | Val Russell |
| Wig Master | Barry Dee |
| Audition Pianist | Anne Havis |
