Eve Loiseau will sing the songs of Edith Piaf at Pocklington Arts Centre next Thursday (May 26) at 8pm.

Loiseau’s passion for Piaf developed at a young age, around the dining table in South East France. Coming from a family of singers, long summer meals were often rounded off with French chansons, and now her lustrous tone captures the essence of the Piaf performance in this tribute to the Little Sparrow.

Loiseau, who also performs with Canteve Vocale and the baroque ensemble Duo Dolcetini, will be joined for Piaf –The Songs by two members of Kneehigh Theatre Company, accordion player Edward Jay and violinist Fiona Barrow.

As the 50th anniversary of Piaf’s death approaches, Piaf –The Songs will combine a lively narrative with such songs La Vie En Rose, Sous Le Ciel De Paris, Milord, Autumn Leaves, Padam Padam, C’est Merveilleux and Non Je Ne Regrette Rien.

Piaf has become synonymous with French cabaret of the 1940s and 1950s and remains France’s most popular singer. Her life was the stuff of legend, from her dramatic rise from Paris street urchin to star of international renown, but it was anything but “La Vie En rose”. Towards the end, ravaged by pain and injury, she turned to drugs to find comfort and solace, never able to believe that she was indeed loved by countless thousands of fans the world over.

Shows such as Piaf – The Songs keep the flame burning. For tickets, phone 01759 301547 or book online at pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk