A Love Story, by Alexis Michalik, at Anthéa Théatre in Antibes
- Nathalie Audin
- Feb 10, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 4
Friday, 10 February 2023
Published on the website : Resonances Lyriques Org
Who doesn't know the playwright and director – who is also an actor, screenwriter, film director and writer! – Alexis Michalik, must discover his writing and his artistry on stage, if only in Edmond, a delightful and exhilarating play that pays tribute to Edmond Rostand's legendary Cyrano de Bergerac, with a troupe of actors in the spirit of the great theatrical epics of the 19th century! (1). Like a painter, photographer or choreographer cultivating their own style, Alexis Michalik displays the breadth of his signature style, one of joy and humour, tenderness and hope, childlike freshness and energy, and forward momentum. He forges ahead, bearing this message for humanity, a message of authenticity and derision.
This play is indeed about love, a true ode to love. The unexpected love between two young women, Katia and Justine, one homosexual, the other not. A true, complete, powerful love, against all odds and everyone, which goes to the end of its words, to the end of its actions. LOVE, in short! The kind that makes you feel good about yourself, "that makes you love yourself more", better, completely. The kind that changes your life, that inspires happiness. The kind that thumbs its nose at the barricades!
But here's the thing... The worst enemy is not always the one we think it is. Here, it is not society that is fighting against the two young women. It is not conventions or customs that stand in the way of their wildest dreams of absolute commitment, totally unexpected and unhoped for. It is... biological desire, the female desire to have children, inner contradictions, psychology, human nature. In this same theme of intense, unclouded love, interrupted by the vagaries of life, the author depicts in parallel that of a writer and his beloved, a dancer who died in a car accident while he was driving. No matter how authentic, deep, and fervent the feeling of love may be, it does not always overcome destiny!
No matter what circumstances and their origins stand in the way of achieving romantic ideals, the characters understand them, accept them, overcome them and transcend them with breathtaking humanity. Yes, love and humour, two formidable allies, clearly prove to be the key to happiness. "We're going to have to work on the second degree," says William, the brother, to his little niece, Jeanne, whom he will have to look after full-time after the imminent death of his sister.
This is the author's fundamental message: pain is everywhere on earth, and inevitable; so let us love strongly and sincerely, accept, forgive, live, laugh! The curtain rises and falls to the joyful song "Et pourtant" (And yet) by Charles Aznavour, a sad yet joyful tune that perfectly sums up this message, launched like a message in a bottle, of boundless love and necessary detachment.
A positive message of wisdom, also inspired by the observation of life cycles, where the sun always follows the rain! Juliette Azzopardi beautifully illustrates this truth in her sets, which push against each other like the events of life that follow one another in the course of time, in the race against time. The props and furniture glide across the stage at breakneck speed, in a dynamism and joy chosen and emphasised by the playwright, represented by colour, speed and rhythm.
Similarly, in this almost stubborn desire to live a happy life at all costs, this call for open-mindedness is made frankly and with disconcerting ease, for ever greater simplicity and therefore happiness in life. Why complicate life? Why refuse or reject desires? What is the point of judging experiences and aspirations? Here, homosexuality suddenly seems so simple, so natural: "I loved you even though I didn't like women." The presence of the toilet on stage, playing in complete intimacy and innocence, fits in with this idea of a fluid, problem-free life.
The acting is a real delight, a feat of authenticity in the tears amid the laughter, and a promising sign for the young actress playing the teenager: Jeanne (2).
This comedy is undoubtedly a work of art, transcending the pain of life through love and humour. What if life could be happy despite its trials and tribulations? It is up to us, the audience, to learn the lessons of this play! This lesson in wisdom and philosophy from our contemporary Molière is punctuated with panache, and it is no coincidence that it has already won five awards at the ceremony of the same name! Fans of the play and film lovers will enjoy seeing the story from a new angle when the film is released on 12 April.
Nathalie AUDIN
(1) See the "free" article by Edmond, by Alexis Michalik: http://www.resonances-lyriques.org/fr/chronique-detail/chroniques-operas/1262-edmond-dalexis-michalik-au-theatre-de-la-licorne-a-cannes.cfm
(2) Cast for 10 and 11 February 2023 announced by Anthéa: Salome Benchimol, Marica Soyer, Alexia Giordano, Paul Lapierre, Lila Fernandez.
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