It's a first !
After the Academy of Fine Arts, with the election of Catherine Meurisse, comics pushed the door of another sacrosanct institution: the Comédie-Française.
A small revolution that we still owe to a woman, Pénélope Bagieu, in this case.
On the stage of the Studio-Théâtre, one of the institution's three rooms, located in the Carrousel du Louvre, the Frenchman's troupe gives life and substance to his "Culottées", a story in two volumes, a tribute to 60 women who made shattering prejudices, 60 women from History “who only do what they want”, as the albums subtitle states.
To embody them, five supercharged actresses who take you with infectious joy into a series of portraits of these exceptional women, all of whom find a place, however small, on the Studio's small stage.
A mini-set which for the occasion takes on the appearance of a cabaret stage, or even a circus ring, with its electric garlands and wooden boxes which transform according to the staging.
And when they feel a little cramped, the heroines don't hesitate to find a place in the middle of the room, among the spectators...
Phulan Devi, Hedy Lamarr, or Clémentine Delait, the bearded woman
Who are these women full of nerve, in this adaptation by Rachel Arditi and Justine Heynemann (who also directs)?
On the stage, succeed one another, sometimes cross paths and cohabit, Wu Zetian, the first empress of China, Sonita Alizadeh, the Afghan rapper who fled a forced marriage, Peggy Guggenheim, protector of painters and discoverer of talents, the singer and resistance fighter Joséphine Baker or, in a long and quite moving painting, Phulan Devi, the Indian bandit queen with the red scarf.
In majesty, Hedy Lamarr, actress of the 1930s and 1940s but also a never-recognized genius inventor, interviewed at length by a journalist who listens a little.
But also Clémentine Delait, the bearded woman, played by the thunderous Séphora Pondi.
His performance even gave rise to a raffle in the public with the unique and precious prize… a beard hair.
It's delightful as can be, especially since the show is also musical, with many very pretty flights, like a “Rap des Culottées” that will make you want to get up.
Hyper-paced, funny but also playing the emotion card, festive and singing, a little moment of theater that is delightful, without ever distorting the comic strip.
To the point that, unfortunately, it is sold out until March.
Editor's note:
4/5
“Bulky”,
based on Pénélope Bagieu, adapted by Rachel Arditi and Justine Heynemann, directed by Justine Heynemann, at the Studio-Théâtre de la Comédie-Française, in Paris (I).
With Coraly Zahonero, Françoise Gillard, Elissa Alloula, Claïna Clavaron, Séphora Pondi.
Until March 3, at 6:30 p.m.
Complete.