Saturday, April 26. Today I jump off a bridge (figuratively speaking, of course) and go to a performance of French play, l'Antichambre, by Jean-Claude Brisville. This is the first time that I have gone to see a play without first reading the text. Frankly, I wouldn't have considered it if it hadn't been for my seat-mate at Theatre de l'Odeon when I went to see the production of Moliere's l'Ecole des Femmes (see entry for 3/19/08). She recommended it highly and thought that I would be able to understand it even without reading it first. Well, it was a good guess on her part. Of course, I didn't understand every word, but I understood most of it, enough even to get some of the jokes! It helped that there are only three characters in the play and every one (well, at least the two women), enunciated very clearly. I had more trouble understanding the older gentleman but he had a less important role. So this felt like a little triumph for me!
The production is also a triumph for Daniele Lebrun, who plays the lead role. Apparently, she is a grande dame of the French theatre so I'm very happy to have had the chance to see her perform. Superb does not do her justice. The ingenue role was played by Sarah Biasini who pulled off a lovely performance. She is the daughter of Romy Schneider. The male role is played by Roger Dumas who, according to the program notes, has had quite a career in French films, television and theatre.
And speaking of program notes, get this: On sale at the theatre is a smallish book (100 pages) which is a combination Playbill, with a description of all the players, the author, the director, various interviews and articles about the background and setting of the play, other articles about the theatre, along with THE COMPLETE TEXT OF THE PLAY! Of course, they don't give them away but I was happy to spend 12 euros to get it.
The story is based on actual, historical characters from the 18th century: Marie du Deffand, her niece Julie, and le President Henault. Marie du Deffand had a very famous salon in Paris (to say nothing of her very famous corresondence with Voltaire!) but began to lose her sight. So she brought her brother's illegitimate daughter into her household to read to her and, of course, introduced her to the literary and political world. Ten years later, Marie threw her out because Julie had become the primary draw, and Marie was jealous. Unfortunately, most of the salon patrons followed Julie, who established her own salon. So this play imagines the development of their relationship, from one of immense gratitude and insecurity on Julie's part to their eventual parting. Brilliant writing.
When I took the metro this evening, I got off at Villiers because I wanted to walk by Square Monceau on my way to the Theatre Hebertot. Of course, it is closed up tight behind huge green wooden doors. No peeking in there! The theatre is located on Blvd des Batignolles, one of the "Grands Boulevards," and they don't call them "grand" for nothing.
After the theatre, I am too high to go directly home, so go to l'Alivi for dinner! See Vincent for the first time since I've been back.
Today is gorgeous: sunny and 70 degrees. Take a walk around the neighborhood, sit in a cafe in the sun, reading a book. Just the typical wonderful day in Paris! It's so nice to be outside.
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