France sings French – the legend of Edith Piaf

The May Arts Festival continues its run of high quality shows with the one-night only performance of Sans Souci: An Edith Piaf Tribute next Saturday (May 16) at Repertory House.

The legendary French chanteuse, known affectionately as The Little Sparrow, won the hearts of generations of French people. Those not familiar with her work may have heard her most famous song, La Vie en Rose in the Lotto ad as the NZ digger returns to France to find his long lost loves.

Wellington duo, Rachel France and Rosie Langabeer, in a show that has been developed over five years, pay tribute to Piaf in a one hour performance that emulates the love, loss, passion and dramatic delivery that she was famous for. "The material in the songs is often dark and sinister, mirroring the tumultuous psychological rollercoaster of Edith's own life. The songs offer musicians wonderful opportunities to perform, not just to sing, but to bring out Edith's personality and passion,” France said. However, while the material is profound and poignant, the arrangements of the music are very up-beat with an almost circus playfulness. "Having two piano accordions, glockenspiel and interesting percussion makes for a vivacious and entertaining show. We like to think that audiences are transported to the streets of Paris."

France, a born and bred Southlander who grew up with music as a passion, spent two months researching, arranging and rehearsing the music, developing the repertoire which she has now performed hundreds of times. Her eleven years of classical training along with her extensive theatre experience is a perfect combination that provides the audience with an experience that is more musical theatre than classical concert. "The songs have a way of taking you over, so that I feel that I really live the songs as Edith did."

While the songs are performed in French, language should be no barrier to an audience's enjoyment. "Often the delivery and passion of the songs are self-explanatory, but I also offer the audience a few keys to unlock the mysteries of the songs.” These are often based on information about Piaf's life, which was both tragic and triumphant. Songs were often composed especially for her during her prolific career, from the late 1930's to her final song recorded in 1963. Piaf died of liver cancer that same year.

Rosie Langabeer who joins France on piano accordion and vocals, is an accomplished pianist and composer. She leads the big band, Zirkus and plays keyboards and percussion. Her recent tour with Ake Ake Theatre Company to France greatly added to her enjoyment of and interest in French culture, bringing a new understanding to her own performance in Sans Souci.

Rachel France will also perform at the Southland Museum and Arts Gallery on Sunday May 17 under her other musical persona, Raisin Frost. The forty-five minute free solo concert features her own songs in a different style than the Piaf show. "My original music is more contemporary and is accompanied by guitar. The material in these songs is particularly focused on southern New Zealand where I grew up. The title Cheesy Chunes from the Mainland exemplifies France's humour and passion for the South. "I can't wait to come back home and perform for people who may not have heard me in many years," she said

Sans Souci plays at Invercargill Repertory House on Saturday May 16 at 6.30pm. Tickets are $18 full, $16 concession and are available at the Invercargill i-Site.

Raisin Frost plays at the Southland Museum and Art Gallery on Sunday May 17 from 3.30pm.