Sing’theatre Celebrates its 15th Anniversary with its most Iconic Show, No Regrets – A Tribute to Edith Piaf and Exclusive Interviews with Nathalie Ribette and Hossan Leong

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The magical story of Edith Piaf, the most celebrated French music icon of all time, is like an old folk’s tale, it needs to be told regularly. And there is no better time to be reminded of this incredible story of resilience, tenacity, and passion than now! No Regrets, a Tribute to Edith Piaf will transport you to the intimacy of a Parisian cabaret for a “highly enjoyable evening of very good music” as quoted by The Straits Times.

It will showcase a repertoire of 20 songs, in French and English, among them classics such as La vie en Rose, No Regrets and The Three Bells. Hosted and narrated by Hossan Leong, the revue will take audiences on a musical journey through Edith Piaf’s Paris and the events that marked her life. From her troubled childhood to her meteoric rise as a singing sensation, through her many love affairs and emotional struggles, she triumphed to become the highest paid singer in the world. Through various songs, each performer will portray a different aspect of Piaf’s life, showing
a woman of both great strength and frailty.

Nathalie Ribette, Founder of Sing’theatre and the Director and Producer of this tribute shares that “Edith Piaf is proof that anything is possible in life as long as you fight for it! Proof that you can make your dream come true. It’s a message of hope! This is a very inspiring story. It has inspired me many times and it still inspires me! This is not a French story, but a universal story that will touch, move, and inspire anyone. I hope that this show will serve as a glimmer of light in this time of darkness and inspire Singaporeans to press on.”

No Regrets, a Tribute to Edith Piaf will feature a stellar cast of performers including established theatre talents Hossan Leong, Mina Ellen Kaye, Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai, as well as 18-year-old sensation Maya Raisha and a special appearance by international 11 years old star Sofia Poston (Matilda). The singers will be accompanied a 4 members life band, a real treat at the time being!

Our team speaks to Nathalie Ribette and Hossan Leong where they share more about their coming show, read on to find out more.

Exclusive Interview with Nathalie Ribette, Founder of Sing’theatre, Director and Producer

1. Please share with us more about your coming show, No Regrets- A Tribute to Edith Piaf and what made you decide to choose this show to celebrate Sing’theatre’s 15th Anniversary?

Nathalie: No Regrets, a tribute to Edith Piaf tells the magical story of the most celebrated French music icon of all time. And there is no better time than now to be reminded of this incredible story of resilience, tenacity, and passion! Edith Piaf’s destiny was truly extraordinary – she began as a child singing on the streets of Paris and became the highest-paid singer in the world, topping the charts in France, the UK, and the United-States. Edith Piaf is proof that anything is possible in life as long as you fight for it and that you can make your dream come true. It’s a message of hope! Her story has inspired me many times and continues to do so! I hope this show will serve as a glimmer of light in this time of darkness and encourage Singaporeans to press on.

As we celebrate Sing’theatre’s 15th anniversary this year, we wanted to make it special with a reprise of No Regrets tribute to Edith Piaf, our first ever show. I wanted to remind everyone of our French roots, even though, with time, we have embraced a more Singaporean repertoire.

2. Can you pick out one moment of producing and directing the show which is a highlight for you?

Nathalie: The highlight is for me what we called the “Sitzprobe”. It’s when the cast of 5 singers sing for the first time with the musicians. It’s pur magic!

3. What are some of your favourite scenes and songs from the show and why?

Nathalie: My favourite scene/song is “Hymn to love”. It’s almost at the end of the show. It is sung just after Hossan Leong has explained that Marcel Cerdan, a then world champion boxer and the biggest love of her life has died in a plane accident. When she heard the news, despite her immense pain, Edith found the courage that night to sing on stage this song, that she has written for him. But she collapsed in the middle of the song.

4. How has the pandemic affect Sing’theatre? How do you cope with the challenges that come with the situation and producing this show?

Nathalie: Sing’theatre has been very much affected by the pandemic, as all our productions have been stopped. We have an important activity in the public hospitals where we used to bring live music on a daily basis with a program called, “365Days of Music@SingHealth”. Those programs have been put on hold from February to May 2020, but we adapted and now we are back 5 days a week in the hospitals singing for patients virtually with interactive live programs.

5. Lastly, what would you like to say to our readers, what can they expect and look forward to when they come and watch No Regrets- A Tribute to Edith Piaf?

Nathalie: Expect excellent live music, beautiful songs, an inspiring story and an emotional roller coaster.

Hossan Leong, Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, is one of Singapore’s most loved and recognized entertainers. Affectionately known as ‘Singapore Boy’, Hossan is a consummate performer/director, whose skills include singing, dancing, acting, piano playing, and stand-up comedy. He is actively involved in theatre, television, film and radio.

Exclusive Interview with Hossan Leong, Host and Narrator of No Regrets – A Tribute to Edith Piaf

1. Please share with us more about your role in No Regrets – A Tribute to Edith Piaf and how do you prepare for your role?

Hossan: I narrate the story of Edith Piaf’s life and we intersperse the highs and the lows with her iconic songs. We did research and background on her life, watched her performances, and biopics on her to try understand what made her such an icon.

2. What are some of your favourite scenes and songs from the show and why?

Hossan: I enjoy wrapping my brain around the French songs. I miss speaking it. So singing Les Feuilles Mortes (Autumn Leaves), A Quoi Ça Sert l’Amour along with backing up the others, it’s very liberating!

3. What is the most challenging part of your role and how do you overcome it?

Hossan: I have chunks of script to learn, but because it’s recounting and narrating the story of her life, it’s really interesting for me to make every word and phrase real for the audience. I am enjoying that process of bringing Edith Piaf’s story to life at every show.

4. In addition to this show, what other projects are you working on at the moment or plan to work in the near future?

Hossan: I have recently launched Singapore’s first (do I dare say the world?) virtual interactive play, The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure. I’m very proud of this project as it ticks all the boxes: Arts x Tech x Hospitality. It’s a Whodunnit set in Raffles Hotel

Singapore. We’ve used 360-degree VR cameras and built a choice-based mystery where you get to decide who you think is the guilty suspect at the end. Check it out: thefuturestage.com

Then Q3 I will work with Sing’Theatre again and direct and act in Forever Young.

Meanwhile, I’ll still be hustling trying to find work. It’s going to be a difficult year.

5. Lastly, what would you like to say to our readers, what can they expect and look forward to when they come and watch No Regrets- A Tribute to Edith Piaf?

Hossan: Leave your worries behind for 75 mins. Be encouraged and inspired by the story of Edith Piaf and let the music uplift your spirits! We all need some positivity right now. Come! You won’t regret it!

All the above images credit to Sing’theatre

No Regrets, A Tribute to Edith Piaf is first produced in 2007 and reprised in 2011 with rave reviews and will return to stage from 14 to 25 April 2021 at Alliance Française Theatre in celebration of the Sing’theatre’s 15th anniversary thanks to the support of BNP Paribas, its presenting sponsor.

Joris Dierckx, Regional Head of Southeast Asia at BNP Paribas, shares that “The arts have been a source of comfort and respite for many during the global health crisis. After a challenging year, performing arts are returning to the stage and to live audiences in Singapore. We are pleased to support Sing‘theatre’s tribute to Edith Piaf on its 15th anniversary, as we did for the first show in 2007. This is in keeping with the BNP Paribas Foundation’s support to its long-standing partners in the performing arts.”