The Rev. Michael Scott-Joynt talks to members of Alderney’s Loaves and Fishes group.(0731098)

A CABARET show based on the life and music of Edith Piaf will be performed in the island later this month.

Three award-winning entertainers will showcase Toujours L’Amour at the Braye Beach Hotel on 28 March.

Actress Lesley Mackie, who plays the title role, says the trio is looking forward to visiting the northern isle.

She said: ‘We are all very excited to have the opportunity to bring our dramatic cabaret to Alderney, which will be the closest we’ve come yet to performing in Edith’s native France.’

Lesley, who received a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance as Judy Garland in the musical Judy, said she adores the role.

‘I have played the part of Edith Piaf in many productions of the play Piaf and I just love singing all those wonderful, passionate love songs.’

Lesley’s husband, playwright Terry Wale, also appears in the show, as does pianist, vocal coach, conductor and arranger Neil Metcalfe.

Terry wrote Judy, which was nominated for a London Theatre Critics Award, while Neil has worked in a number of opera houses, including Sydney, Pittsburgh, Dortmund, Belfast and London.

Scott Chance, general manager of the Braye Beach, said:

‘This is the first year we’ve introduced theatre to our repertoire – it’s great to be able to bring new events to both the hotel and the island.

‘We’re very much looking forward to the evening, where we’ll be offering a gourmet dinner alongside the entertainment.’

Tickets cost £45.

Call 824300 or visit www.brayebeach.com for further information.

THE Bishop of Winchester spent time with some of the island’s schoolchildren during a visit last week.

The Rev. Michael Scott-Joynt ate his lunch with members of the Loaves and Fishes Club in the Methodist Church Hall.

Earlier he had met President Sir Norman Browse and chief executive David Jeremiah, as well as staff and patients at Mignot Memorial Hospital.

Teacher Liz Bowles, who teaches at Ormer House School and helps run Loaves and Fishes, said the club is going from strength to strength.

‘The group is now extremely popular and attracts around 30 children from St Anne’s School every Wednesday afternoon,’ she said.

After spending time with Loaves and Fishes, the bishop led a well-attended Ash Wednesday service at St Anne’s Church.