Piaf We Loved: A Two-Act Play

David Bret is an authority of the chanson and has written two best-selling books about Edith Piaf. This play is set in October 1963, just after her death. Pierre is the rough-and-ready owner of the Mimosa Club, a downbeat Parisian gay bar. Paul is his much younger female impersonator lover. Both have had love affairs with Piaf: Pierre in 1936 when she was starting out, Paul in the 1950s when she was at the height of her fame. Now it's a time for reflection, marred by the arrival of Fabienne, Paul's snooty mother who disapproves of his lifestyle and does not get along with the vulgar but loveable Pierre. The action alternates between Fabienne's visit and events of the past~Pierre's first meeting with Piaf~her launching of Paul's career which he has held in check because of his attachment to the man who took him in~and which now sees him sacrificing the great love of his life, as Piaf did so often. There are eleven Piaf songs adapted into English by the author. WARNING: contains strong language.