Quai d’Angers

Christian Schiaretti and the repertory company at the Théâtre National Populaire in Villeurbanne will be performing all five comedies using the same set - the skeleton of a house on a large wooden trestle, with the outlines of the actors in the distance donning their wigs, dresses, doublets, and boots. Diaphanous 17th century costumes, extravagantly made up faces, pirouettes, beatings and grimaces, lovely alexandrines that fall trippingly off the tongue: every aspect of this Théâtre National Populaire production pays homage to the genius of Molière, who wrote these five short plays between 1658 and 1661 following his return from a long tour in the provinces, where he observed the habits and customs of the lower classes and the bourgeoisie.

A master comic of words, gestures and situations, heaps of quiproquos, manipulation to your heart’s content, Molière describes, with pinpoint accuracy, the behavior of jealous husbands and suspicious lovers - and of course rubes, morons and pedants. Whether in social satire or character portraits, Molière comedies skewer the pretentiousness of self satisfied physicians and make a strong case for women’s liberation avant la lettre. All of these plays condemn stupidity and intolerance under the cover of laughter. In a dual homage to the renowned directors Jean Vilar and Antoine Vitez, the productions by Théâtre National Populaire director Christian Schiaretti are highly comic renditions of these savage comedies, which will be performed by ten young actors brimming with talent and energy.

program 1
Sganarelle, ou le Cocu imaginaire
L’École des Maris
Les Précieuses Ridicules

program 2
La Jalousie du Barbouillé
Le Médecin Volant
Les Précieuses Ridicules