Hymn to Love
DIRECTED BY DAMIAN CRUDEN.
18 August 2018
Overview
“I’m singing tonight. There’s nothing else. Nothing but singing.”
In a Manhattan hotel room, Edith Piaf rehearses for her last US concert. But for Piaf the hotel holds memories. Eight years earlier she had telephoned her lover, boxer Marcel Cerdan, begging him to overcome his fear of flying and leave France to be with her. Hours later she heard the terrible news that his plane had crashed. Marcel was dead.
An extraordinary musical homage to Piaf, Hymn to Love explores love, loss and longing with 13 of Piaf’s songs, each given fresh meaning in vibrant new translations.
Damian Cruden is Artistic Director of York Theatre Royal, and his production of The Railway Children won an Olivier Award in 2011.
Elizabeth Mansfield was nominated for a Best Actress Olivier Award for her performance as Marie Lloyd in Marie, and has worked at most of the UK’s leading theatres.
People
Accompanist
Edith Piaf
Devisor
Playwright and translator
Devisor
Director
Lighting design
Sound design
Media
“A triumph!”
“Mansfield delivers the famous songs superbly.”
“Beautifully staged ... electrifying singing.”
“Pianist Patrick Bridgman is perfect, not only musically, but as Piaf's long-suffering foil.”
“With precision and emotion, her voice never falters as Piaf's spirit flutters in the room.”
“A fine, dramatic performance.”
