For this second installment, I am hoping to once again inspire you to enjoy some wonderful evenings with a few shows I have hand-picked just for you.
You will have the choice between a musical, a revue, a dancer, singers, an interactive historical comedy, various plays, and a grand Gala evening dedicated to solidarity.
Let the show begin!
Two favorites from my selection stood out naturally. Of course, Le Bal des Vampires by Roman Polanski, which is currently playing at the Mogador theater, which I mentioned in my previous article. And Les Mugler Follies (a cabaret revisited by designer Manfred Thierry Mugler) at the Comédia theater.
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Table of Contents
Un air de famille
We all remember the excellent film of the same name directed by Cédric Klapish. But originally, it was a play performed by the authors and actors, Agnès Jaoui and Jean-Pierre Bacri. Moreover, Un air de famille won the 1995 Molière for Best Comedy and the César for Best Screenplay for the film version.
Revived today and directed by Cathy Guillemin, this play was performed in the spring of 2014 at the Nesle theater in Paris, in July in Avignon, and is now back in the capital until December 26th.
The Story:
Philippe has succeeded. He is married to Yolande and is an executive at a company that also employs his sister Betty, a fierce single woman. Accompanied by their mother, they gather on a Friday night at the sad bistro run by Henri, the older brother, to celebrate Yolande’s birthday. However, things do not go exactly as planned. And when Denis, the waiter, gets involved in family matters, the festivities take an unexpected turn…
The ‘Père Tranquille’, at closing time, when the Ménards gather, doesn’t seem like a very cheerful place at first… But beyond the image of a sad provincial bar, there is a human reality that we can all identify with, in its repetitive, melancholic, terribly infuriating… and deeply comic nature!
Cathy’s review:
After a busy week, going to relax at the Nesle theater is a great idea. The performance space is small, with vaulted stone walls, and I assure you, it feels cozy.
There is a good synergy between the actors; you can feel and see it. As a result, we in the audience are no longer just spectators but accomplices to the characters. I loved it.
Un air de famille Duration: 1h20 until December 26, 2014 showtimes: Friday evenings at 7:00 PM Théâtre de Nesle (main hall) 8 rue de Nesle, 75006 Paris
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Rock it All Tour with Brahim Zaibat
Known for having been the boyfriend of singer Madonna, dancer Brahim Zaibat revealed his talent to the French public during the show Danse avec les Stars.
After having been, in turn, a choreographer and artistic consultant, he is now embarking on a new adventure: launching his own show, which will begin on October 29th.
With the participation of several dancers from all walks of life and a live band, Rock it All Tour will stop in 17 French cities and will perform two nights in a row at the Casino de Paris (November 3 and 4, 2014). Note that the artistic director is none other than Yaman Okur, a dancer for Madonna, who is also the choreographer for the musical Robin des Bois.
Rock it All Tour November 3 and 4, 2014 at 8:30 PM Casino de Paris 16 rue de Clichy, 75009 Paris Olympia de Paris Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 8:30 PM
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The Brit Floyd
If, like me, you appreciate the legendary band The Pink Floyd, this show is made for “us”.
A true phenomenon that has already captivated more than a million spectators around the world, the Brit Floyd will be in an exclusive concert on Thursday, November 6th at the Palais des Congrès in Paris.
The most breathtaking Pink Floyd tribute band will present their brand new “Discovery” show! A three-hour musical journey that traces the career of Pink Floyd from 1967 to 1994.
The traditional set design and original band videos will punctuate the concert. Along with animations inspired by Storm Thorgerson, the designer for the Brit Floyd, which will immerse the audience in the psychedelic world of Pink Floyd.
The Brit Floyd November 06, 2014 at 8:00 PM Palais des Congrès 2 place de la Porte Maillot 75017 Paris
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The musical Le Bal des Vampires
True to the established formula, this musical lives up to all its ambitions. Beautiful voices, polished staging, and humor that make for 2 hours and 40 minutes of happiness.
The Story:
The eccentric Professor Abronsius, a scientist from the University of Königsberg, has only one obsession: to prove to the world that vampires exist. Accompanied by his loyal assistant, the young Alfred, and with only his unwavering faith in logic and science as a weapon, he embarks on this slightly crazy quest through the wild lands of Transylvania.
A snowstorm will force our two heroes to make a stop at Yoine and Rebecca Chagal’s inn. There, clues such as garlands of garlic cloves placed abundantly all over the house will make the professor realize he is on the right track. As for Alfred, he will immediately fall under the charm of the young Sarah, the innkeepers’ daughter.
Count Von Krolock, a dark and charismatic vampire who lives in the nearby castle, also tries to discreetly seduce the young girl and invite her to the annual ball he is giving for his fellow kind.
Cathy’s review:
I was amazed by this sublime show. For me, someone who loves grand staging, this was the evening I needed. No false notes. Everything is coherent. The singers, dancers, and actors are very talented and possess great charisma. A favorite for Stéphane Metro – Count Von Krolock.
Melle Bon Plan’s review:
This musical is pure enchantment, with magnificent sets, very good performers (a special mention to the singer who plays the role of Professor Abronsius, absolutely stunning in several of his songs), and above all, a little dose of humor and self-mockery that does the whole thing a world of good, preventing it from falling into the laughable pitfalls of vampire clichés.
Note:
The music is not a backing track, but a live orchestra. I wanted to clarify that.
Le Bal des Vampires Duration: 2h40 (including 20 min intermission) from October 16, 2014, until June 28, 2015 showtimes: Tuesday to Friday 8 PM – Saturday 3 PM and 8 PM – Sunday 3 PM Théâtre Mogador 25 rue de Mogador 75009 Paris
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Clod et son Auguste
I have a policy of talking about a show, even if it didn’t convince me. As happened with Clod et son Auguste. Careful, I didn’t say the show was bad. It was me who didn’t connect with it. But since there’s something for every taste (and that’s a good thing), I decided to present it to you.
The Story:
The clown makes us laugh, the clown worries us, the clown evokes reactions that are often contradictory. The clown of playwright Stanislas Cotton is a star under a cloudless sky but becomes a struck-down angel as soon as the storm begins to brew. The actor Baptiste Roussillon recognizes himself in this figure, in this climatology of the soul where victims and executioners are constantly playing heads or tails. A scapegoat, then? Certainly.
Clod pays a heavy tribute to all miseries. Under the sharp eye of director Vincent Goethals, donning this outfit that the author admits he intended for Baptiste Roussillon also awakens the actor within him. The challenge is constant, the places he will inhabit for an hour are always different.
He performs without a net: never the same acoustics, never the same space, never the same faces; life, in short! The tightrope walker’s wire is stretched, ready for him to break it and find pleasure in it.
Cathy’s review:
Yes, it is well acted. But personally, this is not what I am looking for. The theater must make me laugh, or take me immediately into its universe. Even if dark, it should be an engaging story.
This was not the case here. A bit too grim for my taste, sorry. Although it is a clown show, it is restricted to those under 12.
Clod et son Auguste Duration: 0h55 until December 20, 2014 showtimes: Friday 9 PM – Saturday 7 PM Comédie Nation 77 rue de Montreuil 75011 Paris
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Les Mugler Follies
Now for a radical change of scenery and atmosphere. A funny and completely offbeat revue that I adored. It is a show bubbling with creativity that surprised me.
The Story:
Nothing predisposes her to it, but a young girl dreams of becoming a tightrope walker. To finally attain grace, harmony. Balancing on the wire of her life, facing her fears, sublimating herself, existing. We will follow her dream, witness her initiatory, whimsical, and unusual encounters. See her transform, reveal herself to herself, to others…
Cathy’s review:
More than positive. Cabaret as we know it is a beautiful show, but it remains untouchable. Which gives it a slightly outdated feel, with an air of déjà vu. Ultimately, a tourist show. But as I take my role as a show reviewer very seriously, I went to the Comédia, and I was blown away.
The creator Manfred Thierry Mugler dusts off the classic revue into a new genre that should surprise more than one person! This style of show will reconcile many people with cabaret. Especially younger ones. The theater has also created a Wednesday Happy Hour offer. In short, this original show is really a must-see!
Melle Bon Plan’s review:
A zany and offbeat universe, strange and eccentric costumes, a certain dose of sensuality and provocation, all for a cabaret out of the ordinary, but which changes from what we usually see in the genre in Paris.
Les Mugler Follies until January 04, 2015 showtimes Le Comédia 4 boulevard de Strasbourg 75010 Paris
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Accordez-moi Paris
We are leaving the rhinestones and glitter to find ourselves in the Montmartre district for an interactive historical comedy. It is a participatory play where secrets, murder, and passion intertwine.
The Story:
Inspired by Murder Parties, Accordez-moi Paris takes us into the 19th century, to the heart of a mysterious case. The audience leads the investigation and follows the trail of a crime perpetrated within a clandestine cabaret established in 1872 in the former quarries of Montmartre.
Accordez-moi Paris is nothing like a conventional play. On stage, four actors and a musician brilliantly portray the characters of this atypical comedy in which we, the spectators, are also one of the heroes.
Cathy’s review:¨
For lovers of the capital who will learn anecdotes about historical Paris. From clue to clue, we traverse history which takes us from the Bastille to Père Lachaise, passing by the Jardin des Plantes, the Goutte d’Or, or the Butte aux Cailles. This very pleasant show is to be seen with family and/or friends.
Note:
Created by Visites Spectacles, Accordez-moi Paris also aims to be a fun and original invitation to discover the capital through true stories.
Accordez-moi Paris The deal: €19 instead of €25 for adults with the code VS2015AMP19 until March 2015 December: Friday 12 at 9 PM, Saturday 13 at 7 PM, Saturday 20, Friday 26 and Saturday 27 at 5 PM, Monday 29 & Tuesday 30 at 9 PM January: Friday 2 at 5 PM, Saturday 3, 10, 17, 24 and 30 at 5 PM Le Ciné 13 théâtre 1 avenue Junot 75018 Paris
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Pegase & Icare
Alexis Gruss, for those who do not know him or know him little, is a Master Horseman recognized worldwide. He created “Le Cirque à l’Ancienne” on May 25, 1974, Mother’s Day, at the initiative of Silvia Monfort, director of the “Carré Thorigny,” a cultural center of the city of Paris.
It was for the bicentenary of the arrival in the Marais of the inventor of the circus: the British Major Philip Astley, true initiator of new creative circuses.
This “Cirque à l’Ancienne” has the distinction of being essentially a family composition. In 1981, Alexis Gruss was elevated to the rank of National Circus by the Ministry of Culture.
This year, Alexis Gruss has decided to commit to Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque and to donate all funds raised during this evening to the association to operate on children with heart conditions.
Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque allows underprivileged children with heart defects to be operated on in France when it is impossible in their own country. Law 1901 association recognized as a public charity, authorized to receive donations and bequests.
If you wish to participate in this beautiful evening dedicated to solidarity, all tickets are sold online at a very preferential single price of €25 (fully donated to Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque).
On the program for this opening Gala, many animations as well as culinary discoveries will take place.
Pegase & Icare November 20, 2014 at 8:00 PM at the Alexis Gruss circus tent Carrefour des Cascades 75016 Paris
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Feydeau se la joue !
For the unconditional fans of Georges Feydeau in general and modern theater in particular, this play is made for you. Is this comedy really by the great playwright? No.
These excellent amateur actors have brought together three of the author’s famous plays – “La Dame de chez Maxim’s”, “Le Dindon”, “L’Hôtel du Libre Echange” – to make a vaudeville rich in twists and turns.
The Story:
That of Monsieur Pinglet. As soon as he wakes up, he has to face a difficult day that he is not about to forget.
A surprise straight from a night with very blurry memories, a mocking best friend, a mistress who is a bit too burdensome, an uncle who invites himself unexpectedly, a comically deranged wife, and a slightly unconventional butler…
All these characters will make his head spin and cause him to lose control of the situation. He didn’t think he could sink any lower, but will unfortunately end up getting bogged down by poorly calculated manipulations. Misunderstandings, lies, and twists are the ingredients of this play.
Cathy’s review:
The amateur actors are very dynamic and maintain the wild pace of this show wonderfully. This original and polished staging is aimed at the whole family.
Melle Bon Plan’s review:
A very pleasant play where you can feel the communicative good humor of the actors, even if at times, one can be lost between the connections, which are not always very obvious between the 3 plays, especially if one doesn’t know them well.
Feydeau se la joue ! Duration: 1h15 until November 30, 2014 showtimes: Saturday and Sunday evenings at 6:00 PM and Monday at 9:30 PM Le Funambule Montmartre 53 rue des saules, 75018 Paris
FUNAMBULE MONTMARTRE GIVEAWAY:
Le Funambule Montmartre
is offering 2 invitations for two people to my readers for Feydeau se la joue ! on the date of their choice.
To participate, simply leave a comment below this article telling me what your outing ideas of the moment are or what your favorites are.
A random draw from the responses to this question will determine the 2 winners of the prizes. Good luck to all!
Rules:
– Contest limited to Metropolitan France
– + 1 chance if you are a fan of the blog’s facebook page; + 1 chance if you follow the blog’s twitter page; + 1 chance if you follow the blog’s hellocoton page + 1 chance if you follow the blog’s Instagram page + 1 chance for each share of the article (don’t forget to leave your usernames in your comment if you want to benefit from extra chance(s))
– 1 entry per IP address
– transportation to the show venue is not included in the prize
– contest start date is Monday, October 27, 2014 – contest deadline is Monday, November 03, 2014 and result the following day on the blog in an edit of this article.
EDIT of November 04, 2014:
Following the draw, I am announcing that the winner of the theater tickets is Alrick.
Congratulations to you, I will contact you quickly by email so you can receive your invitations.
Thank you all for your entries!
article written by Cathy
