Casting Complete for U.K. Piaf Tour, Starring Frances Ruffelle

Oliver Boot, Dale Rapley and more will join previously announced Tony winner Frances Ruffelle in the Curve Theatre’s forthcoming production of Piaf, a play with music by Pam Gems. Directed by Paul Kerryson, Piaf will begin performances in Leicester on February 22 and will play through March 16 before embarking on a national tour. Additional touring dates will be announced shortly.

Known to all as Piaf, Edith Gassion’s life and career is as unique as her legendary singing voice. Over 100,000 brought Paris to a standstill after her untimely death in 1963. The play explores Piaf’s legendary journey with her most popular songs, including “La Vie en Rose,” “Hymne a l’Amour,” “Mon Dieu,” “Non, Je Ne Regrette” and more. Piaf originally premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1979, starring Jane Lapotaire as Piaf. Elaine Paige and Elena Roger have played Piaf in previous London revivals. In addition to Ruffelle as Piaf, the tour will star Boot as Marcel, Rapley as Louis Leplee, Tiffany as Marlene, Laura Pitt-Pulford as Toine and Stephen Webb as Charles, and features Jason Denton, Sean Dodds and Russell Morton.

Boot’s stage credits include Finding Neverland, Bedroom Farce, A midsummer Night’s Dream, Antony and Cleopatra, The Lady From the Sea and Othello. His film and TV credits include Great Night Out, My Family, Holby City and The Time of Your Life. Rapley’s stage credits include Hello Dolly!, Dangerous Lady, Mother of Him, Mamma Mia!, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Six Characters Looking for an Author. His film and TV credits include Silent Witness, Aquila and Julia Jekyll and Harriet Hyde. Denton’s stage credits include Hello Dolly!, Hot Stuff and Save the Last Dance For Me. Graves’ West End credits include We Will Rock You, Chicago and Cats. Morton has appeared onstage in Sweet Smell of Success, You Once Said Yes and Not Another Musical. Pitt-Pulford’s theater credits include Hello Dolly!, Guys and Dolls and Mack and Mabel. Webb’s London credits include Finding Neverland, Parade and Legally Blonde. Dodds has appeared in Oliver and West Side Story.

Click below to see Piaf sing “La Vie En Rose” from her film Neuf Garcons, Un Coeur!