C'EST LA VIE - SARAH BERNHARDT AND ME

Written & performed by Hilary Tones

Directed by Sam Parks

An actress nervously awaits a life-changing audition. As she travels on the tube she shares her concerns with the audience… “What is the director looking for? Will they like me? And who is Sarah Bernhardt anyway?”

‘C’est La Vie – Sarah Bernhardt and Me’ tells the story of the celebrated and pioneering 19th Century French actress who performed all over the world, becoming the first global superstar. Her sensuality and emotion captured the hearts and imagination of British audiences from London to Edinburgh, Portsmouth to Nottingham, who thrilled to her vivid ‘Frenchness’.

Written and performed by Hilary Tones, the show incorporates film, music and authentic costumes and is suitable for anyone interested in theatre life - on stage and behind the scenes.

On The Brink Theatre and GSP invite you to join Sarah as she shares her extraordinary life and legacy.

Future dates (click on the link below each date to book tickets) 

4 April 2025  Southwold Arts Centre, Southwold, Suffolk

26 April 2025  Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warks

30 May 2025 Vera Fletcher Hall, Thames Ditton, Surrey

31 May 2025  South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell, Berks

Past dates 

9 Aug 2017  Cecil Sharp House (Camden Fringe Festival) ***SOLD OUT***

10 Aug 2017  Cecil Sharp House (Camden Fringe Festival) ***SOLD OUT***

14 Jan 2018 - Wed 24 Jan  2018   Katzpace, London 

June 2018  Tabard Theatre, London

22 Jan 2018  OSO Arts Centre, Barnes, London

23 Jan 2018  OSO Arts Centre, Barnes, London

24 Jan 2018  OSO Arts Centre, Barnes, London

1 Oct 2018  Playground Theatre, London

2 Oct 2018  Playground Theatre, London

3 Oct 2018  Playground Theatre, London

"a fascinating account of a celebrated life" - LondonTheatre1   4 stars

" This play is thoroughly engaging, entertaining and educational – Brava!" - Mark Aspen review

"Written & acted by the charismatic Hilary Tones, this was a remarkable tour de force. Her dramatized monologue illuminated the action packed life of revered actress Sarah Bernhardt but had a double plot of a modern actress auditioning for the part of Bernhardt. This worked really well, as did the time shifts to & fro. The 65 minutes passed swiftly, the different moods & scenes handled cleverly - comic, tragic & always entertaining. The set, costumes & video screenings were all very effective & evocatively French. A fascinating & enjoyable evening." Audience feedback

"Fascinating concept, cleverly delivered. Bernhardt was a fascinating actress (perhaps the greatest of the 19th century)" - Audience feedback

"Hilary Tones was amazing. This sort of production and performance reminds me why we go to the theatre. A great evening, something about the human condition, and very affecting. I learnt things about Sarah Bernhardt too." Audience feedback

"What a delight to watch on a snowy, chilly January evening. I attended the performance with my 12 year old daughter as she enjoys theatre. It's rather fascinating watching an actress, playing an actress, playing an actress, who in turn is playing many parts both male an female. We both really enjoyed this performance which is, almost exclusively, a one woman show. Well performed, amusing script and, I learnt a lot about Sarah Bernhardt too." Audience feedback

"Everything you ever needed to know about Sarah Bernhardt is well documented in this monologue. Lovely use of the projection screen showing the journey to the audition and the fun 'at the audition' report. Later a funny scene of Sarah having a strop with a rival. Lots of props and some lovely costumes." Audience feedback

“Good work from Hilary Tones” (Pericles – Shakespeare’s Globe) - Michael Billington

“Hilary Tones squeezes a great deal of comic hilarity out of the piece with superb comic timing” (Shirley Valentine – Derby Playhouse) – Fiona Dryden

“….her presence filled the stage” (As You Like It – Stratford, Connecticut) – Tony Angarano

“Hilary Tones’ moving Elizabeth has the right devious gravity” (Mary Stuart – Derby Playhouse) – Michael Billington