EDITH Piaf had an extraordinary voice.

Fondly regarded as the Little Sparrow, the Parisian singer and songwriter rose to international stardom in the late 1930s.

Her signature song was La Vie en Rose, which she wrote in 1945; her 1960 hit Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien, (No Regrets), became her latter day anthem.

Theatre by the Lake is staging a thrilling theatrical tribute to the legendary chanteuse who was born in 1915 and became a symbol of French passion and tenacity.

Co-produced by Theatre by the Lake and York Theatre Royal, in association with Ensemble, Hymn to Love - Homage to Piaf features timeless, instantly recognisable melodies that span three decades of a remarkable career, with the exceptional talents of Olivier Award-nominated actress, Elizabeth Mansfield and Theatre by the Lake favourite Patrick Bridgman, joining forces in the Keswick theatre's first show of its spring season.

Running from Friday, March 23 until Tuesday, April 10, and directed by York Theatre Royal’s artistic director, Damian Cruden, the play revolves around one particular incident in Edith Piaf's career: the death of her lover, Marcel Cerdan. Killed in a plane crash on his way to watch her sing, she heard the news of his death while rehearsing for the show, but went on stage anyway, dedicating her performance to him. The emotionally charged drama with electrifying singing from Elizabeth, interweaves 15 of her songs exploring personal experiences of love, loss and longing.

Elizabeth has performed scores of leading roles in UK regional theatres and London’s West End and is centre stage as Piaf. She co-devised the show with Annie Castledine and husband Steve Trafford, who wrote the play and translated the songs from the French. She says it's fantastic to be back in Keswick and to be revisiting the challenging role which she last performed in London at The Drill Hall: "There have been many biographical pieces written about Piaf, but Hymn to Love offers audiences something new and insightful and I'm hugely looking forward to sharing Piaf’s extraordinary repertoire," explains Elizabeth.

Co-star Patrick, who lives in Cockermouth, is returning for his 15th Theatre by the Lake show and plays The Pianist. He was also part of the Keswick theatre's inaugural season in 1999: "I've been very fortunate in terms of the variety of shows I've worked on over the years here," says Patrick. "There's always something to learn and I'm particularly pleased to be returning at this point in the theatre’s history as it's my first production since Conrad Lynch took the directorship. It's lovely to have the combination of old friends and new ideas."

A consummate musician as well as actor, Patrick trained at Manchester's Chetham’s School of Music and St Anne’s College, Oxford.

He says he was drawn to working on the production after he heard about Elizabeth Mansfield’s work with two acclaimed companies, Red Ladder and Ensemble, and was also eager to work with director Damian Cruden. "It’s been hugely enjoyable. The atmosphere is very relaxed. Liz is tremendous and gives it everything. Damian draws out lots of rich detail in Piaf’s story and we're helped along by sound designer, Yvonne Gilbert whose input is absolutely integral.

"Steve Trafford's script is marvellous at giving a sensual presence to Piaf's memories, you really get a feel for her life, yet there’s also a forbidding quality. The power of the voice is utilised by her as both armour and a sharp weapon. In rehearsal we keep coming back to this as being the heart and soul of her life, in effect a refuge from all the tragedy and an outlet for it."

Hymn to Love - Homage to Piaf is under the promotional banner of the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme, which together with 23 village halls, brings another quality line-up of shows to rural villages across the region this spring.

Spoofs, adaptations, tributes and new writing all feature in an innovative programme of physical, visual and comedy theatre, music, dance, stories, puppets and poems.

Following its two and a half week run in Theatre by the Lake's Studio, its au revoir Keswick and bon voyage Elizabeth, Patrick and company as they hit the road with the show, visiting halls and community centres across Cumbria, as well as transferring to York Theatre Royal, and finally to London’s Jermyn Street Theatre.

April tour dates as part of the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme include Lazonby Village Hall (01768-870824) on April 13; Kirkstile Community Centre, Workington (01900-601231) April 23; Carlisle's Stanwix Theatre (01228-400356) April 24, and Shap Memorial Hall (01931-716273) on April 28.

Theatre by the Lake box office on 017687-74411.

For further information about Highlights Rural Touring Scheme programme visit www.highlightsnorth.co.uk.