After these difficult past few weeks, we are going to resume the course of life, right where we left off… Why do we choose to see one show over another? What are our criteria? The story, the author, the actor or actress we admire?
A few weeks ago, I attended a meeting with the talented Francis Huster who explained to us that a good show relies on putting the right person in the right place. Understand this, an actor shouldn’t just play a role, but must become the role. The important thing for the director is therefore to make the right choice. And when there is chemistry between him and the actors, we, the audience, participate with them in this beautiful adventure.
Enjoy the show, everyone! And to help life get back on track, we are offering a lovely giveaway to see an actor and director we really appreciate: Julien Romano. As a bonus, he is offering a wonderful surprise with this invitation!
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Table of Contents
A Slavic Christmas, Ensemble vocal Orpheus
The Collège des Bernardins continues its world tour to celebrate Christmas with ensembles from all walks of life. This year, it is hosting the Orpheus choir, bringing together eight male voices from Ukraine with a selection of sacred or folk-inspired Slavic songs evoking the Nativity.
Not to be missed to get into the Christmas spirit!
Nave of the Collège des Bernardins 20 rue de Poissy, 75005 Paris Friday, December 11, 2015 at 8:30 PM Full price: €23, reduced price: €15
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Wasteland, terrain vague
For its Christmas circus, the Académie Fratellini is inviting Mourad Merzouki, an iconic figure of hip-hop whose work I have been an absolute fan of for at least 10 years, to revisit the world of the circus as part of the Kalypso Dance Festival.
He is reprising an old show, adapted to the circular format of the Academy’s Big Top, but this time with 8 young apprentices from the Académie Fratellini Higher School, who whirl alongside 4 hip-hop dancers.
Académie Fratellini 1-9 rue des Cheminots 93210 La Plaine Saint Denis from December 4 to 20, 2015 price: €18 full price / €13 reduced price / €10 for under 26s / €8 for under 12s / €5 to €13 for residents of Plaine Commune
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Lisa Chevallier in Trop conne, trop conne
I absolutely didn’t know this young comedian. When I received her invitation email, I was in. Lisa already has “her audience.” Understand the thirty-somethings who, judging by their laughter, really enjoyed it.
Indeed, the young lady is funny. For a good hour, she takes us into her wacky world. She tells us about her loves, her daily life, and also gives a little wink to her first job.
Presentation :
Lisa, born in the mid-80s in Normandy, sings in front of her mirror using her hairbrush as a microphone. She decides to try her luck in Paris as a press agent and tries her hand at improvisation.
It was in 2013 that she decided to do theater. She enrolled in the One Man Show school and it was with her own texts that she participated in open stages. Over time, she arrives at the Comédie des 3 bornes…..
Comédie des 3 bornes 32 rue des trois bornes 75011 Paris Mondays at 9:30 PM, until December 28, 2015 duration: 1h00 Prices: from €10 with BilletRéduc
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Carmen à tout prix
When I found out I was going to see this play, the title immediately reminded me of Bizet’s work. To be honest, I was thrilled. But when I saw the poster, oh dear, oh dear…
Moral of the story: never rely on first impressions, because what a show! Not to be missed under any circumstances.
Here too, we are in an offbeat, zany, wacky world, but very well orchestrated by true artists who interpret Bizet’s work beautifully, in their own way.
The directing is so successful that even Carmen die-hards will appreciate this comedy, because the greatest arias of this opera are respected.
The story :
It takes place in a theater where the performance is about to begin. But nothing goes as planned. A last-minute hitch turns everything upside down. And there, the actors pull us into a whirlwind of madness…
Théâtre Trévise 14 rue de Trévise 75009 Paris Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 PM from December 03, 2015 to Friday, January 29, 2016 duration: 1h50 Prices: from €20 with BilletRéduc
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Dino fait son crooner, et Shirley sa crâneuse
I assume you’ve realized that this is the famous and yet 
talented comedy duo that we all knew on television through Patrick Sébastien’s shows. When I received the invitation, I said yes immediately. But once I arrived, it was a surprise…
While I was expecting sketches and laughing at Shirley’s inflections, I found myself in an Italian musical show, discovering Shirley with her “real” hair and her “real” voice. I admit that at first, I was a bit disappointed.
But upon reflection, I approve. First because both sing very well and then because I thought of all the people who have been following them since their beginnings. Artists who dare to surprise their audience, I say Bravo!
I had the chance, with other bloggers, to meet Corinne alias Shirley who explained to us that this show was Dino’s show. The Italy of his childhood, family anecdotes, songs sung during Sunday meals. All these memories, the actor wanted to share with their audience. It was he who insisted that his wife also come to complete this musical moment.
The story :
As you have understood, the story is that of an Italian who grew up to the sounds of the melodies of his country while savoring good pasta with homemade tomato sauce cooked by “mama” during the sacred Sunday meal. Dino also gathered all the anecdotes of his family, with the humor we know him for.
Théâtre de l'Atelier 1 place Charles Dullin 75018 Paris Sundays and Mondays at 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM depending on the day, until December 28, 2015, and only Mondays until April 24, 2016 duration: 1h50 Prices: from €17.20 with BilletRéduc
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Les Coquettes
This show was a real discovery for me and a wonderful moment of laughter. I went to see it without knowing what to expect. Well, I wasn’t disappointed and really had fun. It must be said that these three girls have a lot of talent.
Lola, Marie and Juliette know how to sing and act. Their songs, a little bit naughty, but never vulgar, complete completely crazy sketches.
These artists are the authors and directors of their show. The house was full and the audience completely conquered, like Mademoiselle Bon Plan and me, for that matter.
Le Grand Point Virgule Salle Apostrophe 8 bis rue de l'arrivée 75015 Paris From Wednesday, December 02, 2015 to Tuesday, February 16, 2016 New dates from September 2016 at 6:00 PM and 7:45 PM depending on the day duration: 1h10 Prices: from €15 with BilletRéduc
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Cats : to meow with pleasure…
Dear readers, I don’t know if you, like me, grew up in the 90s, and if you remember the cult sitcom The Nanny. The nanny’s boss Maxwell Sheffield, a Broadway producer, is jealous and cannot stand the success of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats. I didn’t understand how men dressed as cats could arouse so much hatred and envy.
Almost 20 years later, I have finally grasped its full scope and have been able to judge its full scale and quality. A historic show that comes to tickle our senses.
A Jellicle Cat… But what is that? Alley cats, stray cats, Persians and Siamese, all whisper with pride “we are Jellicle cats.” In a setting of an alley where trash cans and other old junk serve as hiding places, a celebration is prepared under the gaze of the great and wise Old Deuteronomy. Each one shares their own story and style to manage to reach a new life. A resurrection.
It is the starting point of this legendary musical, which was a triumph from its first presentation in London in 1981. Showered with awards, multiple performances around the world, Cats has given the Broadway style all the magic and excess that create legends.
From the delicacy of T.S. Eliot’s words to the enchanting and caressing melodies of Webber, Cats benefits for the very first time from a French translation.
Ultimately, we only know of these cats the desperate song of Grizabella, her famous Memory, covered by Funny Girl Barbra Streisand.
Why so many years before presenting Cats to the French public? The fear of a failed translation and a disappointment like The Dance of the Vampires? (A musical catastrophe, where creatures of the night sing Bonnie Tyler under the direction of a Polanski, who presumably got lost).
In short, that is not the question. Cats dazzles as much by the richness of its scenes, sketched with relevance in singular numbers that are perfectly written, as in the delightful cacophony that the effervescence of the choirs brings to our ears.
It is as old-fashioned as can be, but Cats is a witness to the golden age of Broadway, and its immortal stars. Delicate, Webber’s composition associates with finesse the light steps of these exceptional dancers who are the strength and soul of this unbeatable animal symphony. Offer a nice set of Jellicle Cats for the Christmas holidays!
Cats, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Until July 5, 2016
Théâtre Mogador
23 rue Mogador, 75009 Paris
Prices: from €25 to €110_
L’ImpassE
I am going to introduce you to a play written by a young actor and director, Julien Romano.
L’ImpassE is the story of two brothers and a woman who have nothing in common, but life’s coincidence will bring them together a second time.
“We grow up together, but do we really know each other? Did we receive all the love we needed? We keep our weaknesses and faults inside us in a climate of awkwardness and misunderstanding.”
This play is an invitation to question our values. It pushes us to reflect on who we are… Can we change the course of our lives?
Théâtre Clavel 3 rue Clavel 75019 Paris Until Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 8 PM (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) duration: 1h 00 Prices: from €10 with BilletRéduc
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Interview :
Who are you, Julien Romano?I am 33 years old, I have been an actor for 5 years and the creator of the play L’ImpassE. I love and am proud of this play. It was a desire for me to direct it. Like an obvious choice.Precisely, for our readers and for our winner, can you tell us a little more?It is a very rich play that deals with many subjects like our personal choices, who we really are, racism, violence against women, the lack of listening, the inability to love. You see, there’s no getting bored! (laughs)In these rather delicate subjects, is there any lived experience?No. Everything is completely invented, but with my own feelings and experience.Mademoiselle Bon Plan and I had the chance to be at the Press General Rehearsal, there were some big names there, weren’t there?Yes, the actors and I were thrilled. The house was full, the audience conquered. Many artists had made the trip, as had journalists, bloggers, and friends. We are very proud of this recognition which gave us a great impact for the future of L’ImpassE.Your actors were the audience’s favorites, how did the casting happen?I met Karen last June. For me too, it was a favorite. Just like Jonathan. Those two have a lot of personality. I am very proud of these beautiful meetings. During Jonathan’s casting, there were a lot of people. He was the last to audition. When I saw him, from the first moments, I had found my character. Karen, Jonathan, and I worked for an hour together after the casting. After these 60 minutes, the young actor had won over the whole team. This chemistry is felt on stage and I am delighted. We form a beautiful trio.You’re not going to escape the traditional question. What is your latest top tip?Oh, that’s complicated!So let’s say favoriteAh, so I have two. The first is a group of musicians called Namasté that I listen to on repeat.The second is my meeting with Mademoiselle Bon Plan and yourself. I appreciated our various exchanges, and knowing you were in the audience on the day of the general rehearsal to accompany and support us touched me. An indiscretion told me that you liked the play (laughs). Thank you both and I can’t wait to meet the winner of the giveaway.Thank you Julien …..
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GIVEAWAY :
As we are in the holiday season, Julien Romano is offering 1 invitation (for 2 people) to be won, for the evening of your choice to come and discover his play, as well as access to the dressing rooms before the show, with a small glass of champagne and a privileged meeting with the actors. If that’s not a great VIP gift, I don’t know what is!
To participate, simply leave a comment below this article saying why you would like to see this play and meet the actors.
A random draw among the answers to this question will determine the winner. Good luck to everyone!
Rules :
– Giveaway 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 venue is not included in the prize
– giveaway start date Thursday, December 10, 2015 – closing date Sunday, December 20, 2015 and result the next day on the blog in an edit of this article
article written by Cathy, Julie Brando and Mlle Bon Plan
