Super performance from Elena Roger, standing ovation; whole cast excellent. Good pace and lighting and sound as you would expect from the Donmar. I was muttering to myself that it will go to the West End when I spotted in the programme that the RSC 79 show did and then went to Broadway. Who played Piaf in 79? Anyone remember? I missed that one.
It was interesting to compare to the movie, la Vie en Rose which I have only just seen. The movie is better on the early years, the loss of the child and I think on the loss of Marcel, but the live show is v good on her decline and Charles Aznavour's part in her life.

The original RSC production opened on 5/10/78 at the The Other Place theatre in Stratford, with the following cast, running until the 27/1/78:

Susanna Bishop: Nurse
Darlene Johnson: Marlene
Carmen de Sautoy: Madeleine
Zoe Wanamaker: Toine
Conrad Asquith: Inspector/Georges/Man in Brothel/Barman
Bill Buffery: Louis/Butcher/Lucien/Dope Pusher
Ian Charleson: Man at Rehersal/Pierre
Geoffrey Freshwater: Manager
James Griffiths: Leplee/Jean
Allan Hendrick: Emil/Jacko
Anthony Higgins: Eddie/German Soldier/Angelo
Ian Reddington: Paul/Impresario/American Sailor/Physiotherapist
Malcolm Storry: Legionnaire/Jacques/German Soldier/Marcel/American Sailor/Theo

Then had a gala performance on the 14/10/79 at the Aldwych theatre, running for 8 more performances there between 28/12/79 and 12/1/80 before transferring to the Wyndhams between 19/1/80 and 16/2/80. It then joined the RSC's production of Once in a Lifetime at the Piccadilly Theatre on 14/3/80.

All info taken from the RSC yearbooks for 1978 and 1979/80

I believe Jane Lapotaire was the in the original rsc production not sure if she went to broadway though.

Don't know how I managed to leave off the star of the show, but yes Jane Lapotaire was in the cast shown previously in the title role

Agree with Lynette's review.

Saw the RSC production when it was in the West End (so saw most of the cast listed, though not all) and thought the Donmar production was soooooo much better. Elena Roger was fantastic, mercurial, sharp, surprising. The supporting cast, most of whom were unknown to me, were also very strong. The RSC production (as I recall) had the whole cast slouching around the stage at all times and Laportaire's singing was a let down. If you get a chance, try to see this.

Great production ~ I rate it right up there with Mary Stuart and Parade (at the Donmar). Rapturous applause at the end. Elena Roger is a great singer and actress who really puts her all into this role. Great support cast and interweaving of the songs between the text of the play which is my only criticism. Just didn't find the play that great. Loved the boxing scene and the duet between Piaf and her ladyfriend (I'd seen the actress in High Society ~ wonderful she was then too ~ sorry name escapes me).

I too enjoyed this on Saturday. Excellent singing and acting but there isn't really much play around it is there! It did move me to she a few tears at the end so must have been good! Very funny routine with Luke Evans and great singing by all the support cast aswell.

The 'lady friend' was Katherine Kingsley

I will admit to having been previously underwhelmed by Roger's Evita, but she has more than made up for that with this performance - outstanding, and nice to see several of the Evita chorus proving themselves in this as well.

If you haven't managed to get a ticket yet, don't despair, there are four going on e-bay as I write at £719!!!

I tend to agree that it's not a great play. It stands or falls on its leading lady.

Fortunately it has a great one in Elena Roger.

I was really pleased to hear her singing (most of) the songs in French. When I saw it at the Piccadilly ALL the songs except Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien were sung in English and they just don't sound right like that!

Surely this will transfer so keep faith folks...

It is transferring - Vaudeville.

SAW IT TONIGHT AND WAS BLOWN AWAY....ELENA IS EXTRORDINARY AND GIVES SO MUCH DEPTH AND PASSION TO THE ROLE. THE ENTIRE CAST IS SUPERB.....ESPECIALLY SHANE ATWOLL AND (TH ESTUNNING) KATHERINE KINGSLEY!!!

Know this finishes the 20th, but logged on about 1.00 this afternoon and managed to get a standing ticket for tonight's performance.

Rare I would think for standing not to go first thing that morning, but proves can be done sometimes.

I am so excited, it sounds fabulous

Woweeeeeee, absolutely brilliant performance from Elena, play could do with a tightening up of character delineation though

Saw this on Saturday evening.
Absolutely brilliant

Alnoor

I was there on Saturday too. The "play" bit is rather non-existent isn't it! Having said that the singing is BRILLIANT and I was a bit teary for the last number! Elena Roger portrays Piaf with a sort of wicked glee and is totally convincing...thoroughly enjoyed!

this was amazing! cant wait to see it in the west end!

Well I was going to say I hate to rain on everyone's parade here, but you know what I don't.

To put it simply Ms Rogers isn't up to the part. Sure, when she sings, she does a very passable impression of Piaf, but it requires an actress of consumate skill to portray such an iconic figure as Piaf.

As an example, in the film The Queen, Helen Mirren may not have sounded or looked exactly like the Queen, but she was able to bring something much more to the part than a mere impersonation. She took on a persona we believed to be The Queen - that's the skill of a great actress.

I wanted this production to work, I grew up listening to Piaf, she means a lot to me, my mother was French, but this was a poor parody of her and her life.

Maybe in another decade someone will come up with a definitive interpretation, but in the meant time this one misses the mark by a mile.