SYNOPSIS
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PiafAfter a successful summer run at the Donmar Warehouse in London, Piaf - a biographical account of the life of the extraordinary French singer Edith Piaf - transfers to the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End from October 21st, 2008. The show is a re-work of Pam Gem's original 1978 play, and is again overseen by Gem. Michael Grandage directs what is a compelling story, charting Edit Piaf's rise to stardom, her spectacular decline and premature death in 1963.
The life and times of Edith Piaf
Edith Piaf is one of France's most celebrated singers. With a uniquely gritty and powerful voice that sung the likes of La vie en rose and Non, je ne regrette rien she captured the hearts of a nation in the 1940s and 1950s - establishing herself as a cultural icon, and later receiving worldwide acclaim for her talent.
Piaf's life is the subject of Pam Gem's play about the singer. Piaf was born in 1915. Her early childhood was spent in the care of prostitutes at her mother's Normandy brothel. In her early teenage years she joined her father as a street performer. They toured all over France, and it was during this time that Edith found her voice.
Growing up on the streets was a tough existence for Edith. She had her first and only child at the age of 17 - Marcelle - only to lose her to meningitis at the age of two.
It was not until 1935 that Edit Piaf was 'discovered'. Louis Leplee owned a nighclub near the Champs Elysees and it was he who persuaded her to sing to his clientele. Leplee did much to help Edith Piaf develop her talent - but months later he was murdered. Piaf was cleared of involvement but the negativity surrounding Leplee's death did knock her fledgling career as a singer.
By the mid-1940s however Piaf was an established singer. It was the start of her golden age of fame. In 1946 she released commercially what has become known as Piaf's signature tune - La vie en rose. This coincided with attention abroad. She toured across Europe and also became known and loved by audiences in the United States and South America.
The boxer Marcel Cerdan, although married, was Edith's true love. He died in a plane crash in October 1949 - an event that was to trigger the beginning of the end for Piaf. Alcohol and morphine addiction followed. She died of liver cancer on October 10, 1963.
From the Donmar to the Vaudeville
The 2008 re-work of Piaf builds on Pam Gem's original play about the singer using new material that has come to light since the play's last outing in 1978. There is more emphasis on Piaf's relationship with Marcel Cerdan this time around - as well as more details that fill in the gaps about her other relationships.
Argentine actress Elena Roger takes the lead role as Piaf in the 2008 production. Her previous work includes a role in Evita on the West End stage during 2007.
