The Theater Management Association presented its highly sought-after awards.
This Thursday morning, they came, they are almost all there for the 44e Brigadier awards ceremony which takes place at the Théâtre Montparnasse. Jean-François Balmer, Évelyne Buyle, Anne Deleuze, Anny Duperey, Bérengère Dautun, Marion Bierry and Jean-Paul Farré applaud their peers. The producers Pascal Guillaume and Pierre Bonnier or the ex-agent of the stars Dominique Besnehard are there too. Founded in 1960 by the Association of Theater Management (ART), this award crowns prestigious careers. Delphine Depardieu is the first to receive it from the hands of Stéphanie Fagadau for her interpretation of the Marquise de Merteuil, in Dangerous Liaisons by Choderlos de Laclos edited by Arnaud Denis (until April 2025, at the Comédie des Champs-Élysées).
Gérard Depardieu's niece brandishes her trophy before commenting: « Twenty years ago, when I started, I was advised to change my name, my father told me : “It’s yours, keep it !” I had to do this job for good reasons. » Delphine Depardieu hits all three shots to announce Maxime d'Aboville, hailed for his performance in Poor Bitos by Jean Anouilh, directed by Thierry Harcourt (until January 5 at the Théâtre Hébertot). « I don't know if anyone told you, it was me who asked to give you the Brigadier's prize, I don't have any friends, you do… » warns a laughing Michel Fau as he shoots an arrow at the Molières ceremony which he says « worship » (he never got one). The audience rejoices. « The object is magnificent »takes up the actor who is currently triumphant with When the child appears at Marigny.
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« Something other than a Molière »mocks Maxime d'Aboville who has already received two. Honored, he salutes Francis Lombrail, the director of the Théâtre Hébertot who took over the play, it not having been staged for sixty years. « He wanted to grant the wish of Michel Bouquet, the creator of the role », indicates Maxime d'Aboville who makes the spectators laugh by recounting that Myriam Feune de Colombi, the late director of the Théâtre Montparnasse, had found him « too beautiful » when he wanted to replay the piece.
The room reserves a “standing ovation” for Geneviève Casile, 87 years old. The honorary member of the Comédie-Française receives the 2024 Brigadier of Honor prize for her entire career. She notably played Dona Sol in to Hernani under the rule of Robert Hossein, the Countess of Marriage of Figaro or, more recently, Sarah Bernhardt. She recalls that the administrator of the Comédie-Française had offered her a Brigadier when she left Molière's house after thirty-two years of service. « This one is a little more beautiful »she laughs.
