★★★★

“Audrey Brisson’s portrayal of Piaf is magnificent”

Piaf is a play by Pam Gems that focuses on the life and career of French chanteuse Edith Piaf, revered as much for her exceptional voice as for her extraordinary life. It is a biographical drama with music and has previously portrayed the singer as a self destructive, promiscuous alcoholic. Born Edith Giovanna Gassion in the slums of Paris to an acrobatic street performer father and singer / circus performer mother, Edith was abandoned at birth by her mother and ended up being brought up by prostitutes at her paternal grandmother’s brothel. Later regarded as France’s greatest popular singer and one of the most celebrated performers of the 20th century she was a woman who in turn experienced glory and degradation.

The Watermill has a rich history of experimental actor-musicianship and in this innovative production the director (Kimberley Sykes) and musical supervisor (Sam Kenyon) have imaginatively used the framework of street performers/musicians together with a clever design (Good Teeth) and sympathetic lighting (Prema Mehta) to portray the many people in her life as well as reconnecting with Piaf’s roots. The simple use of a trombone to mimic a war plane, a sawing cello depicting a motor engine, or Piaf’s foot crashing on a piano keyboard, are some of the remarkable musical devices this talented nine strong ensemble use, not only as accompaniment, but for dramatic sound effects throughout.

The copious instruments played by the versatile actors were constantly being switched around and during ‘L’Accordeoniste’ there were three accordions playing, plus an electric keyboard which created a wonderfully authentic Parisian feel to the song. At the introduction of boxer and Piaf’s lover, Marcel (a very talented Djavan Van De Fliert who also plays Yves Montand and one to watch) the use of drums was particularly evocative and during ‘Mon Dieu’ the two double basses were not plucked as in previous numbers, but bowed, enhancing the legato and sensual feel of this number. The use of A Capella voices to accompany Piaf in ‘Jimmy Brown’ was particularly effective as was the musical staging (Michela Meazza) of ‘Bravo pour le clown’. This production is as much about music as it is about Piaf’s life and the musical arrangements elevated it to a whole new level which made it seem more honest and raw somehow.

But Piaf’s life is a biographer’s dream and this play is a star vehicle for the actress playing the role. Audrey Brisson’s portrayal of Piaf is magnificent – a beautiful observation that is refreshingly honest, warm and funny. She completely captures the unique vocal sound of Piaf without ever becoming a caricature and has a remarkable physical resemblance to her at times. My only slight quibble is that she didn’t convince me of her back-street roots, she was not quite edgy enough.

This is a stand out production, with Brisson’s emotive renditions of some of Piaf’s greatest hits reminding us that she left behind an unforgettable legacy… a voice that became the symbol of love and loss and that you have to pay for true happiness with your soul.

THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

★★★★

“a fun and happy atmosphere in the perfect surroundings of the Open Air Theatre”

Even with continual rain – and a short stop mid show, as eight top notch stage crew mopped up the flooded stage for safety; The Enormous Crocodile is a snappy tuneful wonder.

This new musical based on the classic Roald Dahl picture book, on the whole stays close to the original story; taking the audience from the muddy shores of the Nile and through the treacherous jungle, as the dastardly enormous crocodile goes in search of a nice juicy little child for lunch!

As the audience arrives, there are bubble machines and recorded jungle noises, and animal roars and trumpeting, creating a fun and happy atmosphere in the perfect surroundings of the Open Air Theatre.

The cast appear in stunning headdresses whilst wearing smile inducing chest high fishing waders and wellington boots, as they jump into the river Nile with their firefly puppets. The colourful tropical jungle comes to vibrant life.

All the much-loved characters are played by the five excellent cast members, creating delightful puppetry with the fantastic puppets designed by Toby Olié, which often integrate into Fly Davis’ super clever set and costume designs.

Malinda Parris, in the titular role, stays as the crocodile throughout – with quick changes to the extended long tail. Starting with the full cast creating the tail, it then morphs into a fast moving long tailed go-cart with the actor upfront as she gyrates the croc’s humungous head and toothy mouth, belting out crocodile songs!

The enormous crocodile meets the farty, soon to be mud loving, Humpy-Rumpy Hippopotamus, played by the always brilliant Nuwan Hugh Perera. Onwards through the jungle the enormous crocodile meets Trunky the Elephant (Joanna Adaran); the cheeky monkey Muggle-Wump (Elise Zavou) and finally the comedic and delightful Audrey Brisson as the Roly-Poly Bird. The four jungle friends are disgusted that the enormous crocodile is wanting to eat a child – and decide they need to put a stop to him!

The arrival of the Jungle Juniors is a show highlight, as the silly teacher takes them on a jungle adventure. And in true Dahlian style the children “do what we are told not to do”, and once lost in the jungle sing a sweet brave song. The enormous crocodile tries to eat the children by pretending to be a coconut tree (genius set design), a seesaw, and after eating the teacher, the croc dons the teacher’s clothes in the awful reptile’s quest to eat the children!

A magical, if quirky, ending in space as the enormous crocodile explodes into the sun and sizzles up like a sausage – dead!

Maybe not quite as dark as Roald Dahl intended. Time for a celebration!

The tasty, if unmemorable, tunes come fast and furious, composed by Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab, book and lyrics by Suhayla El-Bushra, with additional music by Tom Brady, it’s a jam packed 55-minute show.

The Enormous Crocodile is directed by Emily Lim and co-directed by Toby Olié, with uncomplicated choreography by Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu. Musical director Máth Roberts on keyboard, is the only live musician on-stage, hidden in plain sight in a bird hide! The pre-recorded music band sounds great. Tom Gibbons sound design works seamlessly in the open air, and even though The Enormous Crocodile plays during the day Jessica Hung Han Yun’s lighting sparkles.

PIAF

Watermill Theatre

★★★★

“Audrey Brisson’s portrayal of Piaf is magnificent”

PIAF

Watermill Theatre

Reviewed on 9th April 2025

by Sarah Milton

Photography by Alex Brenner

Previously reviewed at this venue:

Piaf

Piaf

Piaf

THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

★★★★

“a fun and happy atmosphere in the perfect surroundings of the Open Air Theatre”

THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Reviewed on 22nd May 2024

by Debbie Rich

Photography by Johan Persson

Previously reviewed at this venue:

THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE

THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE