the essential
After two weeks of almost self-sufficient creation, actors, director and author of the performance are completing the final preparations before Friday’s performance. Behind the scenes report of an innovative and almost dreamlike piece.
On the stage of the Théâtre des Lices d’Albi, Gérard Darmon speaks in a low voice with the playwright Hadrien Raccah and the director Serge Pestigo. Around the three men, the setting seems almost real: a bed, a sofa, a window where we see a semblance of night.
Also read:
Gérard Darmon, Isabelle Gélinas and Gilles Cohen in residence at the Théâtre des Lices d’Albi
The actor paces around it as if he were at home. After all, that’s a bit the case: he, Isabelle Gélinas and Gilles Cohen have been hitting the stage for two weeks. This Albigensian creative retreat will finally end on Friday with the first performance.
“I hope the public will feel as many emotions as I do”
“It’s the story of a man in total denial of his love”, summarizes Gérard Darmon to situate his character, leading role in the play “A House of Cards”, the new work of the rising theater star Hadrien Raccah.
DDM – Marie-Pierre Volle
What begins as a boulevard play, with “burlesque” characters, quickly transforms into a poignant story. “I hope that the audience will feel as many emotions as I do while playing,” confides Gérard Darmon, sitting on the bed.
“I kept my promise,” breathes the actor. Honorary ambassador of Albi, he was charmed by the city and its “very strong cultural life” during his tour for “A delicate situation” in March 2023. He then swore to the mayor Stéphanie Guiraud-Chaumeil that he would come back to create a piece there. It is now done.
Final preparations for a dreamlike piece
Serge Pestigo, director, “completely soaked” by the play, claims to have had two busy weeks during this residency. “Tuesday evening, I talked until 1:30 a.m. with Gérard in his hotel room,” he says.
DDM – Marie-Pierre Volle
These discussions were vital for a very surprising role. “The audience is never ahead of Gérard’s character,” explains the director, “it is in his head.” An effect that he wishes to emulate with a decor “which changes in space-time and space-place”, a subtle blend of video projections and more traditional theatrical mechanics. Just a few more adjustments needed in this home stretch.
Needing calm, the team does not want any curious eyes while spinning. Will they be ready on Friday? Gérard Darmon evades, with a smile on his lips: “As always in the theater… I wouldn’t say we’re early, but I wouldn’t say we’re late either.”
DDM – Marie-Pierre Volle
The dates on January 17, 18 and 19 are sold out, but Gérard Darmon assures that they will return after the tour for a closing performance. And in Albi, the actor demonstrated that he knows how to keep his promises…
