The Stars Shine Brightly in this Legendary Affair
Reviewed by Sandi Laird
The curtain rises on Marlene Dietrich and Edith Piaf – one in Germany, the other in France. It is 1960 and Dietrich’s return to Germany is met with anger by her compatriots who resent her decades-long absence from the homeland. Piaf is a shadow of her former greatness worn down by drug addition and alcoholism. The scene hints at the pairs’ lost friendship and ever simmering hostility. We move back to the 1930’s when the duo first met and formed a tight bond and friendship plus a physical relationship initiated by the bi-sexual Dietrich. Then the story unravels until Piaf’s sad death in 1963.
Dietrich is rigid, sexy, confident. Piaf a tender and emotional soul seeking love and light. Yet somehow, they find common ground as Dietrich fights to maintain her status as a star while encouraging and embracing the delicate Piaf.
Piaf as played by Deborah Hay is a beloved French chanteuse. She is a wounded bird who suffers love and loss, and physical challenges from accidents that lead to her addictions and ever-growing reliance on alcohol. Hay voice delivers a clear and glorious vibrato, emitting emotions deep in her heart. Hay’s rendition of Piaf’s signature “La Vie en Rose” leaves the audience in awe.
Terra C. MacLeod, making her debut at the Grand, is Dietrich as I knew her from movies and videos of her stage productions. Strong, opinionated, unforgiving, relentless, but kind to the few people she loves. Burt Bacharach was her arranger, conductor, and advisor at one time and seems to be able to cut through her tough exterior. MacLeod’s presence shouts determination and perfection. Two of MacLeod’s songs stand out for me – I Wish You Love and Where Have All the Flowers Gone. Dietrich conveys a tenderness and love for “Edie,’ her “sparrow” in both solos.
A wonderful surprise for me was the talents of Karen Burthwright and Eric Craig. The pair each played multiple characters with fluency. Burthwright as Lena Horne, Piaf’s manager to name a couple. Craig smoothly moves from Noel Coward to Piaf’s lovers and husbands, to Bacharach.
The music alone, under the direction of Mary Ancheta, makes this production a winner. It’s fun to see the orchestra right on stage in black tie. The art deco set design takes us from the characters’ homes to Las Vegas to stages all over the USA and Europe. The performances and direction of Rachel Peake pull it all together.
Piaf / Dietrich – A Legendary Affair continues at the Grand Theatre, London until March 7. Tickets are available at the Grand box office at 519-672-8800 or 1-800-265-1593 or visit www.grandtheatre.com
Photos: Deborah Hay as Edith Piaf and Terra C. MacLeod as Marlene Dietrich. Photos by Mai Tilson.
Piaf / Dietrich – A Legendary Affair
By Daniel Grobe Boymann & Thomas Kahry
Adapted by Erin Shields
From the translation by Sam Madwar
Based on a concept by David Winterberg
Directed by Rachel Peake
Musical Director Mary Ancheta
Performed by Deborah Hay, Terra C. MacLeod, Karen Burthwright and Eric Craig
Grand Theatre, Spriet Stage, 471 Richmond Street, London
February 17 to March 7, 2026
Reviewed by Sandi Laird