Molière - Lully - Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme

Performance in French without surtitles Duration: 3h30 including interval First part: 1h40 Interval Second part: 1h15 Here is a monument that celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2020, and whose power remains undiminished: grâ

Performance in French without surtitles

Duration: 3h30 including interval

First part: 1h40

Interval

Second part: 1h15

Here is a monument that celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2020, and whose power remains undiminished: thanks to Molière's skilful writing, we still, today, hang on the lips of this bourgeois. Denis Podalydès takes on this classic and offers a production full of humour and lightness, perfectly in tune with Molière's text and devastating spirit. In Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, Molière paints the portrait of an adventurer of the mind with no other desire than to escape his commoner status and access a terra incognita that, by birth, is forbidden to him. Why mock Monsieur Jourdain? The bourgeois simply takes it upon himself to discover what we now call “culture”, and embarks on the vast undertaking of bringing his dreams to life… And what does it matter if these dreams are those of a ridiculous man. By choosing to restore the play to its original form as a comedy-ballet set to Lully's music, Denis Podalydès brings together all the arts. With this theatrical celebration, costumed by Christian Lacroix, he aims for the apotheosis of the senses so hoped for by his hero. It is, of course, about laughing at the comedy. But how can one not feel affection for this man of no qualities who tries, all by himself, to initiate the first cultural revolution. Elevated after a thousand comic adventures to the rank of “Mamamouchi”, Monsieur Jourdain lives his hour of glory in music and dance, sick of his bourgeoisie, an imaginary gentleman, at once granted and beaten, duped and triumphant, in that rare theatrical moment where ridicule gives way to pure wonder.