Reykjavík Grapevine - 28.05.2004, Síða 18

18 the reykjavík grapevine
Born into poverty in the red-light
district of Paris, her home was the
street and her dreams were to be
found in the nightclubs and bars of
Pigalle. “The Little Sparrow”, as she
was known, sung her way from the
gutter to the salons of the rich and
powerful. Although she found fame,
happiness was to elude her. A string
of broken relationships and a battle
with the bottle eventually took their
toll. Piaf died, aged only 48

The Icelandic National Theatre is
now showing a production based
on the life and music of Edith Piaf
and written by Sigurður Pálsson.
Sigurður who directed a British play
about Piaf in 1985, and has since
been obsessed with the petite French
singer.
Sigurður seems to be set on fitting
each and every significant event
of her life into a three hour play,
in addition to numerous musical
numbers. He has likely been torn
between these two halves of himself,
but might have done better leaving
himself out entirely, as the events
portrayed on stage are pretty much
self explanatory, and do not need
narration
The two narrative clowns, as they’re
called, seem to have the sole purpose
of squeezing in parts of Piaf ’s life
that the playwright couldn’t fit on
the stage. The result is often a bit
chaotic .
The show, on the other hand, is very
good. Marvellous at times. The cast
does sterling work, and the ward-
robe draws a vivid picture of period
France. The stage setting is wonder-
ful in its simplicity, and the lighting
helps achieve a certain atmosphere
that complements and enriches the
show’s highlight: The music.
The house band, led by legendary
musician Jóhann G. Jóhannsson, is
absolutely brilliant in delivering
Piaf ’s music. The band is on stage
most of the show, often taking part
in the action. But the most out-
standing part of the show is without
a doubt Brynhildur Guðjónsdóttir,
who plays the part of Edith herself.
Not only does she look almost
identical to Piaf, she also moves
and sounds exactly like her. Her
performance is driven, energetic and
extremely sincere. No wonder she
was awarded a standing ovation at
the end of the
show. Getting a glimpse into the
life of Edith Piaf was interesting in
itself, but getting such a marvellous
performance of her music was simply
amazing.

The lyrics alternated between Ice-
landic and French, and Brynhildur’s
voice treated the songs so well it was
almost as if Piaf herself was in the
room.
LA MÔME PIAF
by Eyvindur Karlsson
����� MOVIES
THEATRE
Troy
The battles are conducted on a scale David Lean could only
have dreamt of. One of very few epics that actually has sym-
pathies with both sides. This is perhaps the film’s strongest
point. That, and having a story that climaxes with a giant
wooden horse not looking silly.
Touching the Void
A dramatised documentary about two British climbers who
take on a mountain in Peru. Their planned 24 hour jaunt
turns into a harrowing 7 day ordeal. It is tightly scripted,
beautifully filmed and gripping to the end. As good as
anything coming out Hollywood.
National Theatre
Þetta er allt að koma
A play version of Hallgrímur Helgasons book, “Things Are
Going Great,” directed by Baltasar Kormákur. The produc-
tion is set in a gigantic box, with imaginative special effects.
The play tells the story of a young woman growing up in
the 70´s who moves to America and he disappointments on
returning home.
Museums
ASÍ. Art Museum, Freyjugata 41, 511-5353
Árbæjarsafn Folk Museum, Kistuhylur 4, p: 557-1111
Ásmundarsafn, Sculpture museum, Sigtún, p: 553-2155
Culture House, Hverfisgata 15, p: 545-1400
Einar Jónsson, Sculpture museum, Einarsgata, p: 551-3797
Gerðarsafn, Kóparvogur Art Gallery, Hamraborg 4, p:551-3797
Gerðuberg Cultural Center, Gerðuberg 3-5, p:577-0440
Hafnarborg Art Gallery, Srandgata 34 Hafnarfj, 555-0080
Hafnarhúsið, Reykjavík Art museum, Tryggvagata 17, p: 590-1200
Icelandic Institute of Natural History, Hlemmur 5, p:590-0500
Kjarvalsstaðir Art Museum, Flókagata, p: 517-1290
Museum of Medical History, Neströð 170, p: 561-1016
National Film Archive, Vesturgata 11-13 Hafnarfj, p: 565-5994
National Gallery of Iceland, Fríkirkjuvegur 7, p: 515-9600
Nordic House, Sturlugata 5, p: 551-7030
Numismatic Collection of the Central Bank, Einholt 4, p: 569-9964
Nýlistasafnið, The Living Art Museum, Laugavegur 28, p: 551-4350
Reykjavík Botanical Garden, Laugardalur, p: 553-8870
Reykjavík City Library, Tryggvagata 15, p: 563-1750
Reykjavík Elestrivity Museum, Rafstöðvarvegur, p: 567-9009
Reykjavík Museum of Photography, Tryggvagata 15, p: 563-1790
Reykjavík Zoo & Family Park, Engjavegur, p: 575-7800
Saga Museum, Perlan Öskjuhlíð, p: 511-1517
Sigurjón Ólafsson Sculpture Museum, Lauganestangi 70, p: 553-2906
Telecommunications Museum, Suðurgata, p: 550-6410
Galleries
Art Studio Gallery, Vesturgata 12, p: 562-5757
Gallery Fold, Rauðarárstígur 14-16, p: 551-0400
Gallery Hnoss, Skólavörðustígur 16, p: 561-8485
Gallery Hulduhólar, Hulduhólar, p: 566-6194
Gallery i8, Klapparstígur 33, p: 551-3666
Gallery Meistari Jakob, Skólavörðustígur 5, p: 552-7161
Gallery Ófeigur, Skólavörðustígur 5, p: 551-1161
Gallery Sævar Karl, Bankastræti 7, p: 551-3470
Gallery Tukt, Pósthússtræti 3-5, p: 520-4600
Hafnarhúsið, Tryggvagata 17 harbour side, p:588-7576
Handverk og Hönnun, Aðalstræti 12, p: 551-7595
Safn, Laugavegur 37, p: 561-8777
Teddi Workshop, Kapparstígur 2
Other
Broadway Entertainment Hall, Ármúli 9, p: 533-1110
Kringlan mall, Kriglunni 4-12, p: 568-9200
Theaters
Borgarleikhúsið, City Theatre, Listabraut 3, p: 568-8000
Þjóðleikhúsið, National Theatre, Hverfisgata 19, p: 551-1200
Restaurants
101 Hotel, Hverfisgata 10, p: 580-0101
3 Frakkar, Baldursgata 14, p: 552-3939
Apótek Bar Grill, Austurstræti 16, p: 575-7900
Café Opera, Lækjargata 2, p: 552-9499
Hótel Holt, Bergstaðarstræti 37, p: 552-5700
Jómfrúin, Lækjargata 4, p: 551-0100
Naustið, Vesturgata 6-8, p: 554-0500
Rossopomodoro, Laugavegur 40a, p: 561-0500
Siggi Hall at Óðinsvé, Þórsgata 1, p: 511-6200
Tapas, Vesturgata 3b, p: 551-2344
Tveir Fiskar, Geirsgata 9, p: 511-3474
Við Tjörnina, Templarasund 3, p: 551-8666
Vox Nordica Hotel, Suðurlandsbraut 2, p: 444-5050
Cafés
Café Árnes, by the harbour, p: 551-5101
Café Paris, Austurstræti 14, p: 551-1020
Grái Kötturinn, Hverfisgata 16a, p: 551-1544
Kaffivagninn, Grandagarður 10, p: 551-5932
Mokka, Skólavörðustígur 3a, p: 552-1174
Ráðhúskaffi, City Hall, p: 563-2169
Segafredo by Lækjartorg, p:
Súfistinn, Laugavegur 18, p: 552-3740
Tíu Dropar, Laugavegur 27, p: 551-9380
Café, Bar and Bistro
Bar 11, Laugavegur 11, p: 511-1180
Café 22, Laugavegur 22, p: 511-5522
Celtic Cross, Hverfisgata 26, p: 511-3240
Grand Rokk, Smiðjustígur 6, p: 551-5522
Hverfisbar, Hverfisgata 20, p: 511-6700
Jón Forseti, Aðalstræti 10, p: 551-0962
Kaffi Kúltur, Hverfisgötu 18, p: 530-9314
Kaffibarinn, Bergstaðastræti 1, p: 551-1588
Kaffibrennslan, Pósthússtræti 9, p: 561-3600
Nelly’s, Þingholtsstræti 2, p: 551-2477
Prikið, Bankastræti 12, p: 551-3366
Sirkus, Klapparstígur 30
Vegamót, Vegamótastígur 4, p: 511-3040
Clubs
Gaukur á Stöng, Tryggvagata 22, p: 551-1556
Kapital, Hafnarstræti 17, p: 511-7007
Nasa, by Austurvöllur, p: 511-1313
Pravda, Austurstræti 22, p: 552-9222
Fastfood
Bæjarins bestu, Tryggvagata, p: 894-4515
Bernhöftsbakarí, Bergstaðastæti 13, p: 551-3083
Eldsmiðjan, Bragagata 38a, p: 562-3838
First Vegetarian (Á næstu grösum), Laugavegur 20b, p: 552-8410
Hlölli, by Ingólfstorg, p: 511-3500
Nonnabiti, Hafnarstræti 11, p: 551-2312
Pizza 67, Tryggvagata 26, p: 561-9900
Pizza Pronto, Vallarstræti 4, p: 517-5445
Reykjavík Bagel Company, Laugavegur 81, p: 511-4500
Serranos, Hafnarstræti 20, p: 551-1754
Vitabar, Bergþórugata 21, p: 551-7200
ADDRESS BOOK
On December 19th, 1915, a voice was born. Her name was
Edith Gassion, she was known to the world as Edith Piaf when she
sang her way into the hearts of millions before and after the Second
World War.
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