In a creation presented in Lille, at the Théâtre du Nord, the director David Bobée offers a “critical” reinterpretation of
Dom Juan
by Molière.
This figure of French literature, presented as a seducer, has become, according to him, "problematic", because a symbol of a bygone "violent masculinity".
The show, which is going on a national tour, will surely be one of the major works of the theatrical year.
A graveyard of statues.
Among them, on stage, is played the destiny of
Dom Juan
, written by Molière, in the 17th century.
A text from the repertoire, as they say, adapted by David Bobée, of whom this is the first creation as director of the Théâtre du Nord, in Lille.
Dom Juan is this aristocrat who respects nothing, neither conventions nor those close to him and treats himself to a good time.
Well, for him.
Though.
Until divine lightning sent him to hell.
Dom Juan is a historic career as a French-style seducer which completely collapses in this critical rereading.
Like a statue being torn down.
You see the picture.
Because it is this news that inspired David Bobée to set up (or rather dismantle) his
Dom Juan,
presented at the Théâtre du Nord, before leaving on a national tour (see box).
Violence, racism, sexism
"Refusing to celebrate the problematic figures of history is in tune with the times, including in the world of culture, where actresses and actors claim to no longer want to play classic roles tinged with racism or which degrade women" , explains David Bobée.
This show, then, is Molière being murdered?
No way.
For the director, "this political filter of the news must make you creative".
And the story of the classic author, carefully preserved, but skilfully cut and contextualized differently, this time shows "who Dom Juan really is, that is to say a predator, with violence, racism, sexism who accompany him and who want to destroy the system that surrounds him", notes the director.
Brutal in a way!
There is little doubt that this modern adaptation, punctuated with intelligent shifts in meaning, will be one of the major works of the theatrical year, with its share of striking scenes: a statue becoming, through a play of light, the shadow of two beasts, for example.
“I discovered a fantastic language”
“Until now, I avoided Molière, thus unbolting myself the statue that this author represents in French literature, slips David Bobée.
And then I read it again and discovered a fantastic language and a much finer humor than I had imagined.
»
In summary, this
Dom Juan
is therefore the story of a dirty guy, "embodiment of a violent and toxic masculinity in the process of disappearing, of fossilization" which is played with a burning sensuality where transpires, at your choice, the Greek tragedy. or that of Shakespeare.
Feminists and romantics will appreciate.
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On tour throughout France
February 2 and 3, at the Tandem in Arras;
February 8 and 9, at the Equinoxe in Châteauroux;
from February 15 to 17, at the Points Communs, in Cergy-Pontoise;
March 2 and 3, at the Scènes du Golfe in Vannes;
March 9 and 10, at the Théâtre des Salins in Martigues;
March 16 and 17, at the Carré-Colonnes in Saint-Médard en Jalles;
March 23 and 24, at L'Avant-Seine in Colombes;
from March 30 to April 2, at La Villette in Paris;
April 6 and 7, at the Phénix in Valenciennes;
April 14 and 15, at the Carré in Sainte-Maxime;
April 19 to 21, at the Maison des arts in Créteil;
from April 25 to 28, at La Comédie in Clermont-Ferrand;
May 4 and 5, at La Filature in Mulhouse;
June 7 and 8, at La Coursive in La Rochelle.
Lille
Hauts-de-France
Paris
Ile-de-France
Nantes
Pays de la Loire
Marseilles
Paca
Bordeaux
Gironde