On the bill of the Comédie Saint Michel, where many classics are programmed, is a happy comedy by Eugène Labiche: Les deux timides. The young company Hisse et eau, which plays it every Sunday evening, gives it a delicious new life.
The Two Timid: A Benevolent Comedy
This piece by Labiche is rarely staged. Also, it is a pleasure to find the offbeat humor and an old-fashioned hair of the playwright that is well worth Feydeau. Eugène Labiche has painted colorful characters from which he brings out with humor, and a lot of tenderness, the crosses. The actors managed to find the necessary gap to remain faithful to the author while keeping this benevolence of tone.
History: a pretext for entertainment
Mr. Thibaudier suffers from a major illness, namely shyness. He therefore did not dare to refuse the hand of his daughter to Mr. Garadoux, who moreover imposed himself on his home. But the future wife, Cécile, does not hear it that way because she loves another, Mr. Frémissin. However, the latter is unable to make his request, also suffering from shyness. It is therefore she, helped by her friend Annette, the maid of the house, who will take things in hand.
Since the denouement is sewn with white thread, the interest lies in the characters, and the actors embody them almost perfectly!
The two shy are funny, having cramps during the scenes where they are together. Gaël Guillon-Verne and Sylvain Marceaux interpret them with talent and exuberance, sometimes with reminiscences of Chaplin or Bourvil. We also love the tyrannical Garadoux who takes his role as villain very seriously, to our delight. Elliott Janon is formidable and has managed to find many comic springs.
As for the women in the room, they know how to handle their men with an iron fist in a velvet glove. It must be said that Mathilde Marillat had everything to interpret Cécile: a beautiful bit of girl with finesse and character. And Roxane Merlin, who plays Annette, has created through her character a real link with the public, of which she is the accomplice. The pretty actress who welcomes the audience thus conquers the audience before entering the stage. She will show that she too can very well combine seduction, outspokenness and authority!
Scenography and staging bias
The period décor is very nicely reconstituted, the assembly is harmonious. The classic costumes are also very beautiful. The shift comes from elsewhere, and serves the comic of the play: the artificial flowers, the moments more poetic than realistic, and of course the second degree brought by the songs and the contrast between the characters (thus the scene Cécile-Frémissin with the sugar bowl, among others, is delectable).
Who should I recommend this play?
The actors were able to brilliantly create a real play for all audiences. Children will enjoy comedy and first degree. Teenagers and adults alike will have fun with the second degree and the shift of this piece which remains a classic.
In short: we recommend you run to applaud them! Hats off Raise and water! It is no coincidence that they are eligible for the Petits Molières! A very beautiful show, very worked, made with love and served by very good and generous actors!
Writer : Eugène Labiche
Directed by : La Compagnie Hisse et eau
Starring : Gaël Guillon Verne – Sylvain Marceaux – Mathilde Marillat – Roxane Merlin – Eliott Janon
Practical information
Les deux timides at the Comédie Saint Michel 95 Boulevard Saint-Michel
, 75005 Paris
01 55 42 92 97
Tuesdays at 7:45 pm and Sundays at 8 pm.
Closed on 03/01, 08/01, 15/01 and 17/01.
Article written by Marie Céline
