Be drawn into the extraordinary world of Édith Piaf, the French chanteuse who captivated the world with her unquestionable talent, in Pam Gems’ play which will run from Friday April 4 until Saturday 17 May. Starring Audrey Brisson, who returns to the Watermill after her critically acclaimed performance in Amélie, the play charts The Little Sparrow’s dramatic rise from the squalor of the streets of Paris to the glamour of international stardom. Piaf intertwines the great loves, losses and questionable decisions of this complex and fragile star with her raw, spellbinding songs, performed live by an ensemble cast of actor-musicians. Book online here or phone the Box Office on 01635 46044.
Joint CEOs Artistic Director Paul Hart and Executive Director Claire Murray, and the whole team at Newbury’s Watermill Theatre are delighted to announce the full casting for Piaf.
Olivier Award Best Actress nominee for her performance as Amelie in Amelie the Musical Audrey Brisson, whose other recent theatre credits include The Enormous Crocodile at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, The Land of Might-Have-Been as part of Buxton International Festival, Jekyll and Hyde at Reading Rep and Into the Woods at Theatre Royal, Bath, will play ‘Édith Piaf’.
Jon Trenchard (Mack & Mabel at Watermill Theatre, Henry V at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Twelfth Night at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) will play ‘Bruno’ and will also be the onstage MD; Sam Pay (Redlands at Chichester Festival Theatre, Odd & The Frost, Giants, The Bolds, Three Billy Goats Gruff and Pinocchio at Unicorn Theatre, The Wind in the Willows at Colchester Mercury) will be both ‘Leplée’ and ‘Vaimbert’; In the roles of ‘Marlene’ and ‘Madeleine’ is Signe Larsson (The Wizard of Oz at Watermill Theatre, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Sense and Sensibility at Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Footloose and Sleeping Beauty at New Wolsey Theatre); Hazel Monaghan(Fisherman’s Friends the Musical with ROYO, Moby Dick with Simple 8/Royal & Derngate, Mr Burns: A Post-Electric Play at Derby Theatre) will play ‘Louis’; Oliver Nazareth Aston(A Brief Encounter at Watermill Theatre, A Christmas Carol at Derby Theatre, Treasure Island at Barn Theatre) will be both ‘Raymond’ and ‘Theo’; Playing both ‘Marcel’ and ‘Yves’ is Djavan van de Fliert (Frozen at Drury Lane, Les Misérables at Sondheim Theatre, My Fair Lady at Leicester Curve); Marc Serratosa (The Three Musketeers at Barn Theatre, Barista the Musical at The Capitol Horsham, The Fair Maiden of the West with Royal Shakespeare Company) will play ‘Charles’ and ‘Georges’; ‘Toine’ will be played by Tzarina-Nassor and Kit Kenneth will be the Onstage Swing.
Director Kimberley Sykes said, “I am thrilled to be working with such a talented and inspiring cast and creative team to bring ‘Piaf’ to new life. Through the anguish and the glory, Piaf was uncompromising in her search for connection and meaning. Her songs, her relationships, her audience – they were her truth. It is with this incredible group of theatre makers that we bring that same spirit and passion, to move audiences with Piaf’s tale of absolute artistry and heroic commitment to love.”
February weather: Gloomy, chilly with occasional storms
