In the wake of his Tartuffe-ThéorèmeMacha Makeïeff, continues with Dom Juan, to see this week at the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume in Aix-en-Provence, what she calls her transgressive companionship with Molière. “Evil this time taking on the features of the predatory male», it is underlined.
If her Tartuffe was a sort of Mephisto for Kubrick and Pasolini, Dom Juan, which she also designed in a very choreographic manner, immerses us with perverse elegance in the libertine atmosphere of the 18th century and “Dangerous Liaisons”. A superbly implicit praise of atheism Dom Juan presents himself as a wanderer. With each act desired by Molière a new scene is set. Macha Makeïeff offers a unique decor. Violence is expressed, decided in the place of intimacy. Dom Juan is at home. She specifies: “ Alert in a dead end I catch him at the end of his wandering. The exterior is menacing. We won’t leave him in peace. The dramaturgy is that of impediment. None of his desires come to fruition, not even the supper he asks for. I show him reclusive, driven mad by an incessant series of intrusions and summons. Rather than the machine theater and the five sets of itinerancy, perdition here will be more psychological than geographical “. And to add: “ In a suavely narcissistic gesture Dom Juan is interested in the representation of himself. In the manner of Sade, he takes pleasure in the representation of himself as a predator in action. The theater within the theater, baroque effect, effect of crucial truth. »
Elvire, powerful woman
At the center of what can appear in her work here as a sort of feminist anthem Macha Makeïeff claims the character of Elvire as a powerful woman, at the initiative of a revolt. While she is usually presented as plaintive, tearful, greatly disappointed in love, she appears in this production through a series of confessions. It is Elvire who, twice, pronounces a liberating “no” to Dom Juan and it will be a real metamorphosis for her. “ Molièrerecalls the director, don’t write a simple victim character. » On stage Elvire is played by Irina Solano, moving and incredible in her outrageous grandeur.
The father’s words finally heard clearly
If there is a character in the play who often takes a back seat, or even serves as a pretext, it is Dom Louis, Dom Juan’s father. Which is not the case here and his words are finally clearly audible to the viewer. We see that the father is not lecturing his son here, but he affirms that “he is not worthy of his lineage “. in other words, explains Macha Makeïeff: “that his son has no existence. » Played by Pascal Ternisien, unforgettable in his density, he is, like Sganarelle (impressive Vincent Winterhalter), an essential link in the proposed narration.
Xavier Gallais exceptional Dom Juan
And then there is Xavier Gallais in the role of Dom Juan. Macha Makeïeff – who had made the actor one of the greatest Tartuffes one could come across, offers him here not only a golden role but the possibility, once again, to impress with the power of his subtle acting. It is disturbing as can be, even in the silences placed in the dramaturgical device. An exceptional actor, he leaps, becomes feline, dangerous, a perverse prince of implacable and destructive cruelty. It is unforgettable. Note that we can currently see Xavier Gallais on screens as a doctor in Gaël Morel’s film “ Live, die, be reborn » announcing to one of the two protagonists that he has AIDS. Which brings him closer to Loïc Mohiban who played with him in the “ Tartuffe » by Macha Makeïeff, the young actor playing in the film “ Please, love and run fast » by Christophe Honoré, an intern giving the character played by Pierre Deladonchamps the same diagnosis. As in each of his appearances, Xavier Gallais shakes up the lines, and contributes to the center of flamboyant sets and costumes to make this Dom Juan in the form of a masterpiece even more dizzying.
Jean-Rémi BARLAND
“Dom Juan” by Molière directed by Macha Makeïeff with Xavier Gallais in the title role. At the Jeu de Paume theater. 17/21, rue de l’opéra 13100 Aix-en-Provence. Tuesday October 15 at 8 p.m. Wednesday October 16 at 7 p.m. Thursday October 17 at 11 a.m. Reservations and information on lestheatres.net
