Love on the Left Bank
Celebrated Adelaide actress and singer Louise Blackwell brings to life the inspiring story of French singer Juliette Gréco. It is a musical celebration of love, life and liberty as it occurred in the Left Bank of Paris at the time of its liberation from Nazi German occupation. Backed by a superb 6-piece band led by musical director Mark Ferguson, Louise performs songs which evoke the joy and revelry of liberation as it occurred in the legendary underground clubs of Saint Germain des Prés, the bohemian district where Juliette found refuge during the war.
Philosophers, writers and artists gathered round Juliette as she made her debuts in cabaret nights that presented a myriad of different performers, poets and musical acts, and she is still known as the muse of Saint Germain des Prés.
Directed by Catherine Fitzgerald
Singer and storyteller - Louise Blackwell
Musical director and pianist - Mark Simeon Ferguson
Trumpet - Lazaro Numa
Violin - Julian Ferraretto
Sax and clarinet - Tom Pulford
Double bass - John Aué
Drums - Josh Baldwin
Presented by: Louise Blackwell
Louise Blackwell is an Adelaide actress and singer who lived many years in Paris, singing in jazz clubs, studying cinema, performing in theatre and soaking up its wonderful culture. She brought her love for the city back home, creating an authentic Parisian vibe as she performs many great numbers from the French songbook backed by a stellar band of top Adelaide jazz musicians. Lou Blackwell and The French Set have performed in many Fringe seasons, in shows such as Take me back to Paris and A Night in Paris, for which they won a Fringe weekly music award. She recently created the cabaret show Love on the Left Bank about the life of French singer Juliette Gréco. It opened to a standing ovation at the 2022 Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and she is now bringing it to the 2023 Adelaide Fringe.
Reviews & Fringefeed Reacts
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In her striking long black dress and with a French styled bob hairstyle Blackwell commands the stage and holds the audience in her thrall - Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critics Circle
Nothing short of majestic....effortless grace and elegance....a masterclass in how true storytelling is done. - Matthew Hoctor, Theatre Travels
Blackwell’s performance is staggering in its command of emotion, sensibility and vocal prowess that follows Gréco’s lead. - David O'Brien, The Barefoot Review
Blackwell's performance was properly beyond mere replication of Greco. It seethed with a truth not to be denied. - David O'Brien, The Barefoot Review top 10 shows for 2022