This is a monument of theatre, which celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2020, and whose power remains undiminished: thanks to Molière’s remarkably skilful writing, we are still, today, hanging on the words of this bourgeois.

Denis Podalydès takes hold of this classic and offers a production full of humour and lightness, perfectly in tune with both the text and Molière’s irreverent spirit.

In The Bourgeois Gentleman, Molière paints the portrait of an adventurer of the mind, driven by nothing other than the desire to escape his bourgeois condition and reach a terra incognita that, by birth, is denied to him. Why ridicule Monsieur Jourdain? The bourgeois is simply keen to discover what we now call “culture”, and throws himself into the vast project of bringing his dreams to life… even if those dreams belong to a ridiculous man.

By restoring the play to its original form as a comedy-ballet set to music by Lully, Denis Podalydès brings together all the arts. With this theatrical celebration, costumed by Christian Lacroix, he aims for the sensory apotheosis so longed for by its hero.

Of course, the point is to laugh at the comedy. And yet, how can one fail to feel affection for this man without qualities who, alone, attempts to spark the first cultural revolution? Raised, after countless comic misadventures, to the rank of “Mamamouchi”, Monsieur Jourdain experiences his moment of glory in music and dance — a bourgeois made ill by his own condition, an imaginary gentleman, at once fulfilled and defeated, deceived and triumphant — in this rare theatrical moment where ridicule gives way to pure wonder.

Production: C.I.C.T. – Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord.

Co-production: Royal Opera / Château de Versailles Spectacles, Les Nuits de Fourvière / Rhône Department, Theatres of the City of Luxembourg, Théâtre de Liège, Théâtre de Caen, Ensemble Baroque de Limoges / Fondation Laborie, Maison de la Culture d’Amiens, Châteauvallon – National Stage, Printemps des Comédiens / Montpellier.

With artistic participation from ENSAD Montpellier Languedoc Roussillon, ENSATT, and JTN.

Marine trumpet by luthier Jean-Claude Condi, Mirecourt.

Set construction: Workshops of the Theatres of the City of Luxembourg; art & Oh – Benoît Probst.

Costume making: Workshops of the Théâtre de Liège.

Comedy-ballet in five acts, first performed at the Château de Chambord in 1670.

Show in French, without surtitles.

First part : 1h40

Intermission

Second part : 1h15

PRESTIGE VIP CATEGORY : Best seats in house, you will receive a complimentary programme and a glass of champagne.

PRESTIGE CATEGORY : Excellent seats, you will receive a complimentary programme and a glass of champagne.

CORPORATE GROUP RATE : for more information, please refer to our page dedicated to works councils and groups.

REDUCED GROUP RATE : available for groups of more than 10 people, excluding corporate offers.

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