Let’s hurry to Les Muses, just a stone’s throw from the Exotic Garden, for the 6th season. Just consider what Anthéa Sogno, director, stage director, and actress, has prepared for us.
With staging by Pascal Légitimus, “Piano Rigoletto et Tutti Frutti” will offer us a music lesson. Indeed, Alain Bernard narrates in music all the daily life of musicians from Prehistory to David Guetta or from Beethoven to Bob Marley. Both actor, musician, and humorist, he will have enough verve and naturalness to take us from 2017 to 2018 as this show will be performed not only on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 at 8:30 p.m. but also on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 31 at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
“Dans la peau de Cyrano” by and with Nicolas Devort is a triumph. Everyone speaks highly of this gallery of portraits created by this astonishing actor in a Cyrano inspired by Edmond Rostand’s captivating text. Colin enters sixth grade. It’s not easy to be thrust into the world of grown-ups, especially with his stuttering problem. By enrolling in the theater course to overcome this handicap, he finds similarities with Cyrano. Funny and poetic, this example on difference is a message of hope for everyone. Not to be missed soon on Saturday 16 at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday 17 at 4:30 p.m.
“On ne voyait que le bonheur” is an adaptation of the eponymous book by Grégoire Delacourt. Antoine, a mature man, an insurance expert, is deceived by his wife, ignored by his children who do not forgive his weakness, fired by his boss because he showed humanity towards an insured client. Instead of losing hope and ending his life, he will try to rebuild. Imprisoned and then on the other side of the world, he tries to forget his act of madness, regaining confidence in himself. His 13-year-old daughter, meanwhile, will do everything to build a beautiful life despite all this. Directed by Grégori Baquet, who offered us the moving “Adieu Mr. Hoffmann” about a righteous man during World War II last year. Thursday 11 and Friday 12 at 8:30 p.m., Saturday 13 at 9 p.m., and Sunday 14 January at 4:30 p.m.
Triumphed this summer in Avignon at the Théâtre des Conditions de Soie also directed by Anthéa Sogno, “Faisons un rêve” by Sacha Guitry illustrates the art of seducing a friend’s wife through the husband’s unintentional mediation. It is a brilliant entertainment with the triptych of the husband, the wife, and the lover. The lover is a seducer, the husband ridiculous, and the woman dazzling. Lively, effective roles brilliantly played by Anthéa Sogno, Didier Constant, and alternately Christophe de Mareuil on Thursday 18, Friday 19 at 8:30 p.m. with Christophe Barbier on Saturday 20 at 9 p.m. and Sunday 22 January at 4:30 p.m. in whimsical situations.
Christophe Barbier, a famous editorialist with the red scarf, director of L’Express, precisely declares between two rehearsals: “if theater is not my profession, it is my life.” He will offer us on stage the adaptation of his book “Dictionnaire amoureux du Théâtre.” The backstage, the stage fright, the decor, sourcing costumes, in short! Having directed about sixty plays for his amateur troupe, he deliciously shares all the secrets of dramatic art with us. Famous anecdotes, we laugh, we are moved, and we learn a lot about the important relationships between theater and politics throughout the centuries as valued by the author. Not to be missed on Saturday 20 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday 21 January at 2 p.m.
With “Proudhon modèle… Courbet” written and staged by Jean Pétrement, it’s the philosophical debate between Proudhon, hero of the 1848 Revolution, and the life-bursting genius of Gustave Courbet, two friends in life: one is the father of Anarchism, the other, Courbet, painter of Realism, starting from his own experience to return Art to the people. Both transformed History in a common idealistic fight, one to build a fairer Society, the other to “give to see.” An astonishing text served by two exceptional actors, Jean Petrement and Alain Leclerc. Thursday 25, Friday 26 at 8:30 p.m., Saturday 27 at 9 p.m., and Sunday 28 January at 4:30 p.m.
“Drôles de femmes”: a remarkable impressionist of France’s greatest female humorists, from Chantal Ladesou to Michèle Bernier, including Sylvie Joly or Jacqueline Maillan. Isabelle Parsy has a solid personality in the service of laughter, absurdity, and out-of-the-ordinary. An amazing stage presence, boundless energy, she perfectly embodies those she imitates. Come applaud her on Thursday 1st, Friday 2 February at 8:30 p.m., Saturday 3 at 9 p.m., and Sunday 4 at 4:30 p.m.
Michel Boujenah will honor Les Muses with his presence on Thursday 8, Friday 9 at 8:30 p.m., Saturday 10 at 9 p.m., and Sunday 11 at 4:30 p.m. for his “vie rêvée”. It’s better than real life because he can be the hero. A not-so-faithful yet endearing and fascinating autobiography with a childlike spirit. We will definitely laugh and be touched—a great moment, without a doubt!
“Ensemble” written and directed by Fabio Marra tells the story of Isabella, played by the great Catherine Arditi, 2017 Molière best actress award winner, who has a son a bit simple-minded. It is these exchanges, mingled with tenderness and irony, which illustrate a mother’s dedication and sacrifice for her son, especially when he is different. An exceptional Fabio Marra, a promising artist. Exceptionally staged at the Théâtre des Variétés in Monaco on Wednesday 14 February at 8 p.m.
Four interviews with women from 18 to 92 years old await us afterwards on Thursday 15 March and Friday 16 at 8:30 p.m., Saturday 17 at 9 p.m., and Sunday 18 at 4:30 p.m. “When I Grow Up… You’ll Be a Woman, My Daughter” by and with Catherine Hauseux gives an air of universality to these portraits inspired by many women’s paths across different eras, like Isabelle, Françoise, Maeva, or Henriette. The dreams passed on to little girls, a hymn to women, to freedom, a militant and humanist show at the same time.
“Variations énigmatiques” by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt celebrates the encounter between an obscure journalist who comes to interview the brilliant Nobel Prize-winning writer Abel Znorko about a correspondence between the writer and an unknown woman. Is this woman the one to whom the book is dedicated? This piques the curiosity of Larsen, the journalist. The freewheeling discussion punctuated by unexpected news between the two men brings us to two contradictory visions of love. Between a detective play and a romantic comedy, it’s an opportunity to rediscover the play once brought to life by Delon and Huster at the Marigny in 1996. A precise and well-adapted staging by Gilles Droulez who performs with François Tantot. Thursday 22, Friday 23 March at 8:30 p.m., Saturday 24 at 9 p.m., and Sunday 25 at 4:30 p.m.
Another Guitry, “Une petite main qui se place” staged by Peter Bateson, presents intelligent reflections, as always with this great author, on the couple and its evolution from the story of a provincial exiled in Paris who resumes his medical practice to combat his boredom, and becomes the subject of mockery for his best friend and his wife. Witty remarks, finesse, subtlety, in a lesser-known yet eminently modern play. A farce interpreted by well-known actors in Nice, Olivier Broussard, Frédéric Fialon, or Christian Guérin among others. Thursday 29, Friday 30 March at 8:30 p.m., Saturday 31 March at 9 p.m., and Sunday 1st April at 9 p.m.
After the very moving “Résister c’est exister” last season, Stéphane Titeca invites us to a meeting between a German soldier, musician, humanist, and a French soldier from the countryside, with a sense of revenge, in Verdun in 1916. Stuck in a trench, they must cooperate to survive, despite their differences. With them, a cello to transcend their differences, their challenge. Cultivate humanity rather than hatred.
An humanistic tale with “Choix des âmes” staged by Valérie Lesage on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 April at 8:30 p.m., Saturday 7 at 9 p.m., and Sunday 8 at 4:30 p.m. “Les Fâcheux”, a lesser-staged classic of Molière yet presented here by efficient and amazing actors in a modern version full of clever ideas signed Jérémie Milsztein. Eraste, a gentleman in love with Orphise, is about to meet her when a dozen intruders prevent him from doing so. Comedy that glorifies the bothersome or annoying. It’s very funny. Come savor the sublime verses of Molière on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 at 8:30 p.m., Saturday 14 at 9 p.m., and Sunday 15 April at 4:30 p.m.
William Mesguich returns to Monaco after the very moving “Pompier.” “Le dernier jour d’un condamné” by Victor Hugo presents the last 24 hours of the diary of a condemned man from the last day of his trial to his execution. Living in the present what was written in the past makes this poignant plea against the death penalty all the more lively, as the spectator finds themselves as if propelled into the character’s mind. A magnetic presence of William Mesguich in a talented scenography and staging by François Bourcier. Thursday 19 and Friday 20 April at 8:30 p.m.
Finally, on Thursday 31 May and Friday 1st June at 8:30 p.m., Saturday 2 at 9 p.m., and Sunday 3 at 4:30 p.m., “La maîtresse en maillot de bain” by Fabienne Galula, features the arrival of a school psychologist in the teachers’ room of a kindergarten. A successful story because it’s funny, about the world of National Education. Prompt dialogues that hit the mark on our internal reconciliations, the fear of happiness, and the necessity to dare despite everything. An astonishing piece as much as it is stimulating. Laughter and emotion assured to end the season well. Staged by Jean-Philippe Azema.
by Roland Haugade
