Forced Marriage : a Molière, all right. But a baroque Molière… A Molière with contemporary accents… of Molière himself! To discover at the Théâtre de l'épée de Bois – at the Cartoucherie until March 5th.
An amazing dive "in the time of Molière"…
Le Temps d'un Mariage Force, the Mandragore Company and the Fabrique à Théâtre take us back to the time of the comédie-ballet at the King's Court. And it feels like it!
By candlelight and the sound of the harpsichord, this Forced Marriage, directed by Jean-Denis Monory, offers us a real journey back in time. Through the art of baroque theater, it is an immersive and oh so original experience that this show to discover at the Théâtre de l'épée de Bois.
Written in 1664, it is with the manners of this time that we re-discover here the play of Molière. From the first notes of the chamber orchestra composed of 3 musicians, we are there. From the first sentences resonates the language of yesteryear. And our ears, surprised at first, quickly get used to phonetic language with a slow and almost throbbing rhythm, and from there, the declamation pulls towards the comic. Contrary to what one might think, this language is not hermetic but contributes to a poetry and music where words gain weight and meaning. We listen attentively to them and rediscover them, almost like a child discovering a strange but familiar language.
Thus, the mixture of music of the small instrumental formation combined with this mysterious language envelops us in an intimate and warm atmosphere.
As for the acting of the actors, it is not left out. Although almost frozen in front of the public, the gestures are no less physical and chiseled in a choreography of the precise gesture. The word is very often underlined by the gesture. It is a kind of sign language, like a ballet of the fingers, where each gesture carries a codified meaning. Note also the performance of some characters who stand with their knees always bent …
And always of burning topicality!
Finally, as in most of Molière's plays, The Forced Marriage contains criticism of the society of the time, and as always, still so topical. Here, the theme is that of arranged marriage. But as usual, Molière takes the opportunity to depict the features of society: between the advice of a courtier friend who thinks no less, the palaver of pseudo-philosophers and scholar-charlatans, all raised from a feminism before the hour, everything is said. Even in its most original form, Molière retains a contemporary relevance!
Humor remains the author's weapon of choice and the staging full of ideas, where verbal comic and situation mix, is of a formidable effectiveness to highlight these taunts, of another time, of our time …
Whether you know the Forced Marriage by heart or not, do not hesitate a second more to (re)discover it in its original form, if only for the experience. All we need now are the dresses and ceremonial clothes of the Court of the Sun King… See you in the17th century!
By Molière and Lully.
Staging Jean-Denis Monory, assisted by Alain Jacot.
Scenography by Valère Girardin.
Technical direction of Dominique Dardant.
Costumes by Chantal Rousseau.
Musical direction and harpsichordist Estefania Casanovas i Villar.
Musicians Nadja Camichel and Dimitri Kindynis.
Baritone singer Anthony Rivera.
With Alain Jacot, Garance La Fata, Jacint Margarit, Enrique Medrano, Philippe Vuilleumier.
Practical information
Forced marriage at the Théâtre de l'épée de Bois (Paris 12th)
Route du Champ de Manoeuvre, 75012 Paris
Phone : 01 48 08 39 74
Duration: 1h30
Representations:
From 14 February to 05 March 2017
From Tuesday to Saturday at 20h30
Sunday at 16h
