Reviews

What the press said...

"Cameron Leigh is outstanding in the central role. Not only does she embody Piaf in her posture and physical gestures, but her powerhouse, heart-wrenching interpretation of the repertoire is phenomenal. She pours her heart and soul into a memorable performance."
Lisa Martland, The Stage, 07.12.2015

"Cameron Leigh, in the title role, literally transforms on stage to play and perform “Piaf”. (...) the live performance of her timeless music is a tour-de-force of energy and feelings, and is just mesmerizing for the audience. With such brilliance, one should not however forget the all fantastically acting, singing, and musical cast, who help portraying the spectacular and turbulent world of the legendary singer."
Caroline Perret, Plays to See, 06.12.2015

"And Leigh delivers in a frighteningly evocative way, the chansons belted out in tones at once rich and vulnerable."
Gary Naylor, BroadwayWorld, 05.12.2015

"(...) Jari Laakso’s stylish revival of Piaf now playing at the Bridewell Theatre. (...) Piaf is an enjoyable, though flawed, play. Laakso’s production wrings every last drop of interest from it, and manages to deliver the material in a fresh and effective way. With Leigh’s powerful performance at its core, this is a very enjoyable theatrical treat."
Stephen Collins, British Theatre, 02.11.2015

"Cameron Leigh is impressive as Piaf; her expressive face and physicality take her from a youthful girl to a fading drug-addled star convincingly. The singer’s pain, both physical and emotional is laid bare. The rest of the cast play multiple roles. Valerie Cutko plays Marlene Dietrich with enthusiasm; her statuesque figure makes Leigh’s tiny Piaf seem all the more frail. The male ensemble plays the many men in Piaf’s life as well as providing the musical accompaniment to many of the songs."
Rhiannon Evans, West End Wilma, 01.11.2015

"Mention must go to the direction afforded by Jari Laakso, which utilises the theatre space with imagination, and the musicians who cook up a quiet storm that is infectious, affectionate and emotive. Further, assisting Cameron Leigh is an able cast who play some of the key characters of her life, including Marlene Dietrich (Valerie Cutko) and prostitute Toine (Samantha Spurgin)."
Greg Wetherall, London Theatre 1, 31.10.2015

"In the second half, Spurgin IS Piaf. Pushing away those that are closest to her, boozing and popping pills, the actress perfectly captures the fragility and isolation of the ‘little sparrow’ as she careers towards her tragically premature death.
And I defy anyone not to get shivers down their spine during the final song."
Catherine Eade, The Argus, 12.05.2015