Until January 6, 2019, Théâtre Hébertot presents Misery, a play by William Goldman directed by Daniel Benoin and adapted in France by Viktor Lazlo.
A bestselling novel
Misery is the 1987 stage adaptation of the novel of the same name, written by Stephen King. Misery is the heroine of the eponymous saga written by Paul, played by Francis Lombrail. While he has just finalized the writing of the 9th volume of the famous saga, Paul is the victim of a serious car accident. He is then taken in by Annie, a nurse who happens to be his "No. 1 fan". Played by Myriam Boyer, the young woman intends to enjoy the presence of her favorite author as long as possible. In Annie's isolated house, cut off from the world due to the storm raging outside, the two characters engage in a balance of power with an uncertain outcome.
An effective duo
As the play features only the characters of Paul and Annie, its success is based in particular on the exploitation of their personalities and their relationship. Myriam Boyer and Francis Lombrail perfectly embody their characters and know how to find the right tone. The great strength of the play is undoubtedly their acting, which deserves to be commended. Myriam Boyer is both endearing and terrifying as a possessive and stubborn Annie who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Francis Lombrail is funny and interesting as the wounded writer who desperately seeks a way out of his nightmare.
A disappointing staging
The organization of the sets is superb and extremely well thought out. The entire interior of Annie's house fits on the stage and holds many surprises. Nevertheless, the exploitation that is made of it is disappointing because precipitate. The concept, although original, leaves the viewer with a taste of unfinished. The piece is dotted with many unjustified lengths. Video interludes deserved more sought-after content and sound effects. In their current state, they break the rhythm of the piece more than they bring depth. The theme, the intelligent and surprising layout of the scenery and the great acting of the actors could have made Misery a must-see show.
The play Misery deserves above all to be seen for the interesting scenography of Jean-Pierre Laporte and the remarkable performances of Myriam Boyer and Francis Lombrail.
