Donmar's Piaf transfers to Vaudeville 16 Oct 2008

Donmar's Piaf transfers to Vaudeville 16 Oct 2008

The Donmar Warehouse production of Pam Gems' Piaf , which ends its run at the Donmar Warehouse 20 Sep 2008, will transfer to the Vaudeville Theatre, opening 21 Oct 2008, following previews from 16 Oct - booking to 24 Jan 2009

(Female of the Species, currently playing at the Vaudeville ends its limited run 4 Oct 2008)

The orginal cast transfers with the show: Elena Roger (Edith Piaf), Shane Attwooll (Bruno/Jacques Pills), Phillip Browne (Marcel/Inspector), Lorraine Bruce (Toine), Luke Evans (Yves/Raymond/Jacques) , Michael Hadley (Leplee/Vaimbert), Katherine Kingsley (Marlene/Madeleine), Steve John Shepherd (Louis Barrier).

Michael Grandage, Artistic Director of the Donmar said, "I am delighted that the Donmar's production of Piaf is transferring to the West End. We are enormously proud of it and particularly pleased that all the people who were unable to see it at the Donmar will now have an opportunity to catch it in its limited run at the Vaudeville Theatre."

The show received reasonable notices from the popular press when it opened at the Donmar Warehouse 13 Aug 2008, following previews from 8 Aug: THE EVENING STANDARD says, " Elena Roger...has folded herself into Edith Piaf so perfectly." THE INDEPENDENT says, "Roger sings as though her lungs depend on it." DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "Jamie Lloyd directs an efficient but curiously soulless production." ; THE GUARDIAN says, "[Elena Roger]It is a tremendous performance."

It is directed by Jamie Lloyd, designed by Soutra Gilmour, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Christopher Shutt.

From the streets of Paris to worldwide fame, Edith Piaf continues to be remembered and revered for her exceptional voice and her equally extraordinary life. In this new production of Piaf, Pam Gems has reworked her 1978 play vividly capturing the glamour and squalor, the rise and fall, of this complex, fragile and enigmatic performer.