Le Souper - Jean-Claude Brisville

Presented by Le Carré Rond Directed by Dominique Lamour. Cast: Talleyrand / Michel Adjriou, Fouché / Jean-Michel Messina The two footmen / Pascal Gentil, Jean Latil The dinner scene takes place

Presented by Le Carré Rond

Directed by Dominique Lamour.

Cast:

Talleyrand / Michel Adjriou, Fouché / Jean-Michel Messina

The two footmen / Pascal Gentil, Jean Latil

The dinner scene takes place in Paris on 6 July 1815 at midnight, in Talleyrand's private mansion, just before Louis XVIII returns to power, after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, when he was captured by the English and would be exiled to Saint Helena. Fouché has accepted Talleyrand's invitation to discuss business. Paris is occupied by the allied English and Russian troops. The question then arises as to what form of government France should have. Outside, rioters are held back with difficulty by the capital's police force. Fouché believes France should return to a republic. For Talleyrand, the monarchy must be restored; but to do so, he needs the support of Fouché, currently president of the provisional government, who controls the city of Paris. This refined dinner is the occasion to convince him that Louis XVIII's return to the throne is the only sensible solution. Between courses, the two high dignitaries reveal, often only half-spoken, their crimes, betrayals and intrigues. Sworn enemies forever, these two sharks of politics, devoid of all scruple and thirsty for power, have always known how to make themselves indispensable to every regime. But that evening, in order once again to safeguard their interests, they have no choice but to ally themselves and overcome years of mutual betrayal and hatred. Amid silverware and velvet, between artichoke bottoms with ravigote sauce, truffled foie gras and champagne, the two powerful men size each other up, clash and prepare, entirely to their own advantage, a new rendezvous with History.