Molière - Lully - Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme

Performed in French, not surtitled. Duration: 3h30, interval included. First part: 1h40. Interval. Second part: 1h15.

Here is a monument, which celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2020, and whose power remains intact: thanks to Molière's so skilful writing, we remain, even today, hanging on the every word of this bourgeois.

Denis Podalydès takes hold of this classic and offers a production full of humour and lightness, perfectly in keeping with the text and the scathing spirit of Molière.

In Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, Molière draws the portrait of an adventurer of the mind who has no other desire than to escape his condition as a commoner and to reach a terra incognita which, by birth, is forbidden to him. Why mock Monsieur Jourdain?

The bourgeois simply sets out to discover what we today call 'culture', and embarks on the vast undertaking of bringing his dreams to life… And what does it matter if these dreams belong to a ridiculous man.

By choosing to restore the play to its original form of a comédie-ballet set to music by Lully's scores, Denis Podalydès draws on all the arts.

With this costumed theatrical festivity designed by Christian Lacroix, he aims for that apotheosis of the senses so longed for by his hero. Of course, the aim is to laugh at the comedy.

But how could one not feel tenderness for this man without qualities who tries single-handedly to launch the first cultural revolution.

Raised, after a thousand comic mishaps, to the rank of 'Mamamouchi', Monsieur Jourdain enjoys his moment of glory in music and dance, sick of his bourgeoisie, an imaginary gentleman, both granted his wish and beaten, duped and triumphant, in that rare theatrical moment when ridicule gives way to pure wonder