Direct from critically acclaimed seasons at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Leicester Square Theatre, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Festival of Voices and Auckland International Cabaret Festival, winner Best Cabaret Adelaide Fringe 2016 and nominated for a Helpmann Academy, Exposing Edith charts the tragic life of the greatest French singer of all time, Edith Piaf. Experience her life, loves and losses through the songs that shot her to stardom including La Vie en Rose and Non, je ne regrette rien.

Created and performed by Michaela Burger [vocals] and Greg Wain [guitar], Exposing Edith is a stunning mix of authentic French chanson and contemporary sounds punctuated with a collection of extraordinary stories of Piaf’s life, which are recounted by Burger taking on a multitude of key characters. Having explored the undertones of Piaf's vocals and lyrics, Burger and Wain have created their own unique interpretations of Piaf’s work, using voice and acoustic guitar and the subtle use of loop, delay and effect pedals.

Nominated for Best Cabaret Fringeworld, Perth, Libbi Gorr, ABC Melbourne called the show “Sublime!”, Glam Adelaide said it was “moving and hypnotic, more than worthy of the standing ovation” and RipitUp reported “The closest you’ll get to Piaf in this day and age ”.

Venue Format
Theatre, Hall, Black Box Venue, Outdoor
Technical Rating
D, The production can be modified to suit most venues
Touring Party
2 performers
Considerations

The show can either be booked with it's own technician [this lessens plotting and bump in and bump out times] or without a technician [increasing the light plotting and bump in and bump out times]. The technician can be booked at an extra cost.

Creating the show in 2013, Exposing Edith was first invited to the Melbourne Cabaret Festival and was previewed at the Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival prior to this. Since it's conception it has been a huge success with most shows to date selling out well before opening. During two Country Arts of South Australia tours in 2015 all thirteen shows sold out. A similar case with performances at the Auckland International and Adelaide Cabaret Festivals in 2015, Archibald Prize Musical Portraits [Ballarat], Noosa Long Weekend, Tasmanian Festival of Voices and Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2016. After appearing at the 2016 Victorian Showcase the show has been booked for a 26 venue tour for 2017, as it is extremely appealing for country venues due to the price and simple set up. After having recently returned from Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with highly acclaimed reviews and much international interest, the show is looking to start booking the 2018 calendar, hence showing interest in performing at the Artour Showcase.

Company Website
exposingedith.com

Unique Selling Point

There is no other show like this where the story, intertwined with unique interpretations of her music with just guitar and voice, takes the audience on an emotional journey into not only hidden 'facts' of the life of Piaf but into the depths of her character, personality and personal views of the world.

Uniquely Michaela's likeness to Piaf in looks and vocal power deepens the audiences experience, Planet Arts Melbourne stating "The interpretation is so near to perfect and the resemblance so uncanny, I felt tingles down my spine." RipItUp said " the closest to Piaf in this day and age".

Marketing Materials

Marketing Points: Multi-award winning show Five star reviews Burger looks and sounds like Piaf

Radio: Radio appearances, personal interviews and singing live, are key to the shows PR and marketing strategy.

TV: Clips of the show (broadcast quality) available on request.

Promotion pack including links to: press release, images, promo footage, performance history, biographies etc: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cwf5qkhu3zvdp5t/AADzDOrbnZi56Ih-w4uh0otza?dl=0

Promotion clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XggPHs92Rlw

Synopsis/reviews/links document: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wdnl0mmhyzgf52e/PDF%20-%20Exposing%20Edith%20press%20pack%3Bsynopsis%2Creviews%2Clinks%2Cperformance%20history%2Ccontact_Sept%202016.pdf?dl=0

Most shows to date have sold out before opening. During Country Arts of SA tours and all major festival appearances, all shows have sold out.

Community Engagement

With Greg and Michaela having over 50 years of experience between them in the performing arts industry, there is a promise to deliver a show of excellence, professionalism and integrity therefore leaving the communities with a memorable, world-class experience.

The tour will leave behind a cultural education of the life of Edith Piaf, France, Paris and the world at that point in history for the communities that we visit. The audience will also be left with a new found appreciation of French chanson, as the show endeavors to present the music in an accessible way engaging with people from all walks of life, backgrounds and ages.

Workshops:

Behind the scenes workshops in relation to the show are offered to communities. These include an in depth presentation and discussion about how the show was created, the music arranged, the story developed and a conversation about the preservation and preparation of vocal technique in order to keep 'tour fit'.

In addition to this, Michaela Burger offers "Free Your Natural Voice" workshops, for those wishing to explore the potential of the speaking and singing voices in an holistic and deep way.

Both workshops are presented for an additional fee.