T H É Â T R E D U G Y M N A S E
An own musical for Daddy
Charles Aznavour – the vocalist with his unmistakable vibrating voice is the son of Armenian immigrants, once discovered and brought on stages in France and around the globe by Edith Piaf herself. His dozens of true evergreens string themselves like perls on an endless necklace. His success survives decades. By now, at the age of 84, the grandseigneur of chansons and most popular French singer of these days looks and performs neat as a pin. To the viewer this becomes clear at the latest when he sees the young ensemble and the young audience which make the first Charles Aznavour musical of course a blockbuster, too. Charles’ daughter Katia and her husband Jean Rachid are responsible for the artistic parts, Gérard Daguerre, for 40 years his orchestra leader, for the music itself.
The production’s title – this is also the title of one of Aznavour’s biggest hits. In 1960 he described in «Je m’voyais déjà» («I saw myself already») his dream to conquer Paris’ stages with his music. Over the years the vision remained always the same, but the dreamers are different today: Diane Tell, a former duett partner of Aznavour, as Francesca Lavi, Pablo Villafranca alias Danny, Stefi Celma plays Virginie, Jonatan Cerrada is Nicolas, Arno Diem personates Alexandre, Julie Lemas alias Chloé and St Cyr as Abdel. Many of them were discovered in casting shows in French television.
Their youth – that is the proof of the songs’ immortality. Together with a band all of them are presented lively: «Les Comédiens», «Les Plaisirs Démodés», «Il Faut Savoir», «La Bohème», «C’est triste, Venise» and 20 further world-famous melodies – at the finish squeezed a little bit too hectic into a medley. Around the songs author Laurant Ruquier wrote a modern version of Aznavour’ career. It is a special pleasure to hear Julie Lemas singing and see St Cyr’s flowing dance movements. But one thing all participants have in common: Quite much fun which ignites kindly like a spark onto the audience.
Résumé: «Je m’voyais déjà» – that means 205 minutes of best music entertainment which have sometimes – but that shouldn't come as a surprise – also their lean times.
► «Je m’voyais déjà» in the season 2008/09 at the Théâtre du Gymnase. With Diane Tell, Pablo Villafranca, Stefi Celma, Jonatan Cerrada, Julie Lemas et al. Artistic direction: Katia Aznavour and Jean Rachid; author: Laurent Ruquier; staging: Alain Sachs ► Further reviews at the
review archives
An own musical for Daddy
Charles Aznavour – the vocalist with his unmistakable vibrating voice is the son of Armenian immigrants, once discovered and brought on stages in France and around the globe by Edith Piaf herself. His dozens of true evergreens string themselves like perls on an endless necklace. His success survives decades. By now, at the age of 84, the grandseigneur of chansons and most popular French singer of these days looks and performs neat as a pin. To the viewer this becomes clear at the latest when he sees the young ensemble and the young audience which make the first Charles Aznavour musical of course a blockbuster, too. Charles’ daughter Katia and her husband Jean Rachid are responsible for the artistic parts, Gérard Daguerre, for 40 years his orchestra leader, for the music itself.
The production’s title – this is also the title of one of Aznavour’s biggest hits. In 1960 he described in «Je m’voyais déjà» («I saw myself already») his dream to conquer Paris’ stages with his music. Over the years the vision remained always the same, but the dreamers are different today: Diane Tell, a former duett partner of Aznavour, as Francesca Lavi, Pablo Villafranca alias Danny, Stefi Celma plays Virginie, Jonatan Cerrada is Nicolas, Arno Diem personates Alexandre, Julie Lemas alias Chloé and St Cyr as Abdel. Many of them were discovered in casting shows in French television.
Their youth – that is the proof of the songs’ immortality. Together with a band all of them are presented lively: «Les Comédiens», «Les Plaisirs Démodés», «Il Faut Savoir», «La Bohème», «C’est triste, Venise» and 20 further world-famous melodies – at the finish squeezed a little bit too hectic into a medley. Around the songs author Laurant Ruquier wrote a modern version of Aznavour’ career. It is a special pleasure to hear Julie Lemas singing and see St Cyr’s flowing dance movements. But one thing all participants have in common: Quite much fun which ignites kindly like a spark onto the audience.
Résumé: «Je m’voyais déjà» – that means 205 minutes of best music entertainment which have sometimes – but that shouldn't come as a surprise – also their lean times.
► «Je m’voyais déjà» in the season 2008/09 at the Théâtre du Gymnase. With Diane Tell, Pablo Villafranca, Stefi Celma, Jonatan Cerrada, Julie Lemas et al. Artistic direction: Katia Aznavour and Jean Rachid; author: Laurent Ruquier; staging: Alain Sachs ► Further reviews at the
review archives
5 
breathtaking | 4 very nice | 3 entertaining | 2 disappointing | 1 bad
breathtaking | 4 very nice | 3 entertaining | 2 disappointing | 1 bad
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