the essential
A city of art and history, Saint-Lizier, thanks to its growing reputation, allows artists to make promising contacts. This is the case of Pauline Causse who created extraordinary masks to reinvent classical theater in Paris.
Since September, Paris has been hosting a daring version of Alfred de Musset’s “On ne badine pas avec l’amour”, where the characters come to life thanks to masks that reinvent classical theater.
But to whom do we owe these extraordinary masks? The answer lies several hundred kilometers from Paris, in Couserans, in Saint-Lizier. There, in her workshop, Pauline Causse, artist, skillfully uses papier-mâché and pigments to transform ideas into faces, emotions into reliefs, giving life to remarkable characters.
The work, performed at the Espace Marais theater, also shines with this exceptional work. Pauline enthusiastically recounts how this adventure came to be: “It’s a story of networks and shared passion. This order came to me after an acquaintance from the theater team thought of me. A young woman, who knew that I worked in visual arts, suggested that a member of the Michel B company, creator of the show, contact me. At that time I was in residence in Andorra la Vella. A videoconference followed, where the team presented their expectations to me. I showed them some of my creations, notably for shows like that of Karine, dance teacher, or Marie-Pierre for the Théâtre Chanté. They liked my style and told me: ‘Banco, let’s go for the masks!’ “.
The artist continues: “I had seven masks to create between August 15 and September 1… Needless to say, I didn’t sleep much! The masks are made of papier-mâché to remain lightweight, with a hypoallergenic organic resin inside to protect the skin, and a matte or satin exterior varnish to avoid annoying reflections in the spotlight. »
“It was a moment of very strong emotion, the greatest reward for me”
Pauline was “pleasantly surprised” by the enthusiastic comments. “The actors told me that the masks had enriched their acting, that they felt like a second skin. Michel Bouttier, the director, upon receiving them, exclaimed: ‘That’s it! We are ready to play all the puppet characters in this play. Thanks to whom? Thanks to our brilliant mask creator: Pauline Causse!’ »
Pauline also wants to share a memorable memory: “For the holidays, I went to Paris to see the play. To my great surprise, they called me on stage to thank me. It was intimidating, but the crowd applauded me. It was a moment of very strong emotion, the greatest reward for me. »
Initially scheduled until early 2025, the play was so successful that it was extended. “The staging, although modern, remains faithful to the spirit of Musset, and the audience responds,” rejoices Pauline.
Thanks to her talent, she was able to transform an order into a true artistic performance. Saint-Lizier can be proud to count among its inhabitants a creator whose work now delights Parisian critics and spectators. This show should then be available on tour.
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