Paris! The Show
Paris! The Show is a vibrant tribute to the greatest French
songs of the post-war years, featuring the music of Edith Piaf, Maurice
Chevalier, Lucienne Boyer, Charles Trenet, Josephine Baker, Yves Montand, Charles
Aznavour and Jacques Brel. Recently we spoke with the show’s writer, producer
and director Gil Marsella about what Halifax audiences can expect on November
7.
What is your own
personal background?
I am 48 years old, living in
Nice, France, I am married, with 3 kids. I have a Master’s Degree in Sociology
from the University of Nice, and I studied piano with the Nice Conservatory
Class of Jazz.
What is your
professional background?
I was a professional musician at
16 years old, a musical director at 20 years old, and an artistic director at 25
years old. I became CEO of founder of Directo Productions in 2001. Since
then, we have produced more than 300 concerts and events produced each year.
When and why did you first get involved with this particular production?
In 2014, after a series of
successful international shows, I wrote and produced Paris - The Show for
audiences who love 20th century French music.
What are the challenges involved?
Getting the show mounted and up
and running is always a big challenge. As is bringing 20th century French music
to international markets.
What are the rewards?
After the international success
of our Piaf! production, I saw the opportunity to bring this great music to
people all over the world. That alone is reward in and of itself.
How has the show changed over time?
It really hasn’t changed that
much since we first mounted the production – a few tweaks here and there maybe,
but nothing major. Perhaps now might be a good time to consider making a few bigger
alterations.
What can audiences expect to experience at the performance?
Paris! The Show is a story of
love in Montmartre 1950, performed with all greatest French songs of 20th
century. Audience will be transported to Montmartre and Moulin Rouge through
a love story that you would only find in 1950s Paris.
From your perspective, why has the production been so popular with audiences?
Audiences are loving this show, like
they did with Piaf!, as it is so different from what they are used to seeing on
the big stage. The Canadian market has
been very responsive, with sellout performances in Toronto and Calgary. And
part of that, I believe, is because everyone loves a good, old-fashioned love
story. We are all romantics at heart.
French music
enjoyed great acclaim after World War Two - a 'golden era' of sorts - why are
these songs still so renowned?
It’s very simple, actually - French
music is very melodic and romantic. It touches our hearts in much the same way
that many of the French art has, and continues to. That includes literature,
painting, dance, and more.
What are your thoughts on French music today?
It is very rich and trendy. A
lot of French artists and productions succeed in exporting their music, which
is a good thing in the way that it opens up the international marketplace for
all of our artists.
What is next on your creative agenda?
After the success of Piaf! and
Paris! The Show, Charles Aznavour has given us permission to put a production
of his work together called Formidable Aznavour which will be on the road in
2018. We are also putting together ‘Piaf Symphonic’ which will star Anne
Carrere, who plays the lead in Paris! The Show.
Paris! The Show
Tuesday, November 7, 8pm
Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax
www.paris-lespectacle.com/en
