La vie devant soi

The adaptation of Romain Gary's novel as a one-man show, intimate and funny, from which one leaves with a fierce desire to live.

Momo is 60 now. Even if people have sometimes been "gratuitous" towards him, he loves life, with its share of joys but also of setbacks. In an intimate and funny one-man show, he opens his box of memories and takes us into the magic of his childhood. With an infinitely tender gaze, he brings his adoptive mother, Mme Rosa, back to life and summons the memory of his mentor, M. Hamil. Around them is reborn a whole joyful "bordel": that of the neighbours in the building, in the working-class, cosmopolitan Belleville of the 1970s, without ever being "pejorative".

A harrowing story, full of humanity. "Il faut aimer".

The choice of a one-man show naturally carries Momo's voice, the beating heart of the story. On stage, Éric Belkheir plays an adult Momo. He becomes in turn storyteller, witness and character, and brings before our eyes the residents of Belleville, the places and figures that marked his childhood. A few pieces of furniture, a few objects, and a whole world is reborn, leaving it to the spectator's imagination to complete the faces, spaces and situations.

Between narration and embodiment, the fourth wall breaks, then reinvents itself, creating a direct, intimate and living relationship with the audience.

The poetry, humour and tenderness of Romain Gary are revealed, giving spectators a fierce desire to live and to love.

Distinction: Prix Goncourt 1975 Credits: One-man show with Eric Belkheir. Directed by Carole Mermoud. Set design: Charlotte Villermet. Lighting: Johanna Boyer-Dilolo. Music: Maria Kotrotsou. Produced by Etoile & compagnie

Running time: 1h20