Currently playing at the Donmar Warehouse, the critically acclaimed Piaf will transfer to the Vaudeville theatre for a limited 14 week season, after it closes its sell-out run at the Covent Garden venue on 20 September.
Pam Gem’s 1978 play tells the story of the French icon Edith Piaf and her epic life. From her rise from poverty to fame and riches, to her tragic demise into drug addition and depression, Piaf captures the complex, adored and fragile singer in a dramatic production which includes several of her celebrated songs including L'Accordéoniste and Non, Je Ne Regrette Rein.
Elena Roger plays the title role in an acclaimed performance that the Guardian’s Michael Billington called “tremendous”. Joining Roger for the transfer are Shane Attwooll, Philip Browne, Lorraine Bruce, Luke Evans, Michael Hadley, Katherine Kingsley and Steve John Shepherd. Direction comes from Jamie Lloyd, who previously worked with Roger in the Adelphi’s recent revival of Evita, where she starred as the similarly iconic and charismatic Eva Peron.
Michael Grandage, Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse 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.”
Piaf opens at the Vaudeville theatre on 21 October, following previews from 16 October, and runs until 24 January.
For more information about the production, read out First Night Feature.
CM