Exposing Edith: A Celebration Of The Life of French Singer Edith Piaf – Adelaide Fringe Review

Adelaide Festival Centre – Space Theatre, Sat 13 Feb Michaela Burger continues to mesmerise Adelaide audiences with her cabaret Exposing Edith, celebrating French singer Edith Piaf in the 100th year of her birth. Michaela is a joy to watch any time she sings with her powerful vocals and the way she connects with her lyrics, but in the telling of Edith Piaf’s life and loves, she stands out as one of the best cabaret performers Adelaide has to offer, and beautifully exposes Edith Piaf. Exposing Edith is skilfully written and presented with precision, with fantastic support provided by Greg Wain on guitar and occasional vocals. Michaela explores her own connection with Edith Piaf, from her discovery of her music when 17 years old on exchange in France, to her similarities with Piaf in height and upbringing. The show moves seamlessly between telling the story of Piaf, to a portrayal of her and singing Piaf’s famous songs with passion. Piaf’s first hit, Mon Lègionairre was one of the many highlights, together with her signature song La Vie En Rose. If an audience member did not already have goosebumps, her rendition of Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien would have guaranteed this. The song got the sold-out audience erupting with applause. A quoi ḉa sert l’amour was a beautiful ending and tribute to Piaf with Greg Wain accompanying on vocals. Even though the majority of Piaf’s songs are in French, the show has been cleverly constructed with enough explanation and context for the audience to follow the emotion and meaning behind each song. With the focus of many songs being lovers of Piaf’s, this also becomes a focus of the overall show. Both Michaela Burger and Exposing Edith are an absolute pleasure to experience. Bobby Goudie Exposing Edith continues at The Garden Of Unearthly Delights – The Spiegeltent from 7pm on Mon 7 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.