This play is the essence of what I adore about fringe theatre.
What an improbable story, it feels more like a Hollywood blockbuster than real life. And yet, staggeringly, it is a true story. Perhaps embellished with a little poetic licence, but that’s the beauty of theatre. Regardless, it’s an astounding tale, and this production tells it brilliantly.
Superbly acted by an all-female cast, the play recounts the remarkable love story of Nadine and Michael Vaujour. In 1986, they infamously pulled off one of the most audacious jailbreaks in history – by helicopter. Nadine, incredibly, learned to fly and obtained a pilot’s license in just a few months to free Michael from prison. Michael, who had served only one year of an 18-year sentence for robbery and attempted murder, orchestrated the logistics from the inside. In a moment of sheer comic genius, he used green-painted tangerines as fake grenades to distract guards during the escape, something more reminiscent of a Peter Sellers film than real life. (Incidentally, France holds the record for most helicopter prison escapes!)
The story opens with young Nadine, played by Ellie Baldwin, performing a touching jazz number à la Edith Piaf in a Parisian club. Her singing is enchanting and instantly transports us back in time. The play then shifts seamlessly across time, leaping forward 21 years as older Nadine (Kate Harbour) receives a surprise visit from Cece, a young plumber played by the multi-talented Megan Marszal, who also penned the phenomenal script.
Cece’s visit, ostensibly to check Nadine’s boiler (a task she claims was arranged by Michael), soon reveals ulterior motives. We never meet Michael directly, but his presence looms large throughout. A master criminal and charismatic manipulator, he exists vividly in the audience’s imagination, thanks to Nadine’s memories and the performers’ skilled storytelling. Poor, co-dependent Nadine was clearly heartbreakingly devoted to him, and quite possibly still is, even decades later.
The play is filled with twists and turns and the fast-paced script, especially the breathless recounting of Nadine’s exploits and escapades, is linguistically rich and brilliantly delivered.
The set, designed by Rhys Cannon, deserves high praise. Most of the action unfolds in Nadine’s modest home, centred around her dining room table and framed by numerous picture frames, suggesting, rather than showing, nostalgic photos of her and Michael. Cece comments on the apparent happiness implied by the abundance of images, which, as the story unfolds, are revealed to mask a far more complex reality. The Paris jazz club is conjured with elegant simplicity: a single vintage microphone and a subtle shift in lighting and atmosphere.
This is a riveting story, creatively performed. At just ninety minutes, it felt like the fastest hour and a half ever, with the audience gripped throughout, hanging on every word to see how the tale would unfold.
A monumental well done to everyone involved in this fabulous production. May it travel far; this show deserves to really take off.
Catch it while you can!
Review by Bernadette Lintunen
Paris. 1986.
A helicopter flies low over the city, circling the roof of Prison De La Santé, Paris’s most renowned maximum-security prison. The helicopter hovers low, throwing a rope from its open window that falls straight into the hands of convict Michael Vajour. He grips it tight and is air-lifted away into the distance.
On May 26th, 1986, Nadine Vajour piloted a helicopter over Paris to break her husband out of prison, executing one of the only successful helicopter prison escapes to date.
CAST
Young Nadine – Ellie Baldwin
Cece – Megan Marszal
Nadine – Kate Harbour
CREATIVES
Written by Megan Marszal
Directed by Charlotte Sheehan
Lighting and Sound Design by Cameron Pike
Set Design by Rhys Cannon
Visual Design by Yasmin Lucas
I LOVE YOU, MICHAEL, FROM NADINE
Old Red Lion Theatre
17 to 21 June 2025
