You’d be hard pressed to find an American who doesn’t love Betty White. By all accounts (including mine) of those who’ve spent any time with her, she is a deeply intelligent and kind person, a wonderful actress/comedienne and a tireless humanitarian and animal rights champion.
Well, France has their equal in the resplendent Line Renaud. I first encountered Line when my husband played in the orchestra for the gala opening of the new Paris Casino in Las Vegas in 1999. The outdoor concert featured Michel Legrand, Charles Aznavour and Line. Quite a lineup for sure! Line’s sparkly blue eyes and pure magic on stage were captivating. Line has a history and mutual love affair with Las Vegas since coming over to headline with her late husband, composer and guitarist, Loulou Gasté, in the 1960s.
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed seeing her on French TV mini-series and on film – she received high praise for her fantastic comic turn as Dany Boone’s grandmother in the 2008 hit film, Welcome to the Sticks (Bienvenue Chez les Ch’tis). My favorite film performance of hers was as Catherine Deneuve’s cigar-chewing, raunchy-joke-telling, lesbian mother, Nicou, in Belle Maman – a truly brilliant and touching performance.
What I most want is to actually be in Paris when Line Renaud is on stage! She has been a mainstay in Parisian theatre over the past few years, including premiering the French production of Israël Horowitz’s Très Chère Mathilde. Luckily, French television often gives us excellently filmed versions of stage productions, so I’ve been able to see her fantastic performances in Fugueuses, Folle Amanda, and Noel Coward’s Poste Restante on DVD.
Beginning February 2, the eighty-three-year-old actress, singer, and humanitarian (oh, did I mention that in her breakneck schedule, she also founded Sidaction, the French AIDS charity, in 1985) will be starring on stage at Paris’ Théâtre Antoine in Harold & Maude through April 1, 2012. If you’re planning a spring trip to Paris, the chance to see Line Renaud on stage is not to be missed!
By Jackie Sanders
For More Info on Line Renaud
For Tickets and Info on Harold & Maude
Just for fun: See video below – Line Renaud and Josh Groban together
