« Chirac » at the Contrescarpe theater

A public park in the summer, the birds are singing … a woman has dozed off on a chair.

A tall, elegant man, slicked-back hair, tortoiseshell glasses passes by.
He casts a furtive glance at the book lying on the woman’s lap … Volume 1 of the Mémoires de Chirac.
The human eye lights up! It’s Chirac in person!
He leans towards her, « Madam, Madam … » The voice is loud, insistent … She wakes up with a start.

A few centimeters from his face, that of Chirac, which presents itself with enthusiasm … Chirac!
She, stunned: « But, you are dead! » …
And you, what’s your name? « Valérie » … grimace of the former president.

And engages in a fascinating conversation. For Valérie, a miraculous opportunity to question the mythical Head of State, both on political issues and on his private life.

And we go back to the past. A dialogue imagined by Dominique Gosset and Géraud Bénech from archival documents, a text based on real facts, on speeches, testimonies from relatives, journalists and biographers.

Marc Chouppart takes on a compositional role in which he is embodied with great presence.
… Chirac talks, talks to Valérie … until, suddenly, the speech breaks up, the words break up …

A public park in the summer, the birds are singing … a woman is sleeping on a chair.
A tall man leans towards her … « Madam, the park is closing » …
She wakes up with a start. It is the guardian … who casts a furtive glance at « Les Mémoires de Chirac ».

« Did you know him well? » – « Not at all » … « Well, it doesn’t look like! With those charming words he wrote to you »
… And Valérie opens the book and discovers …

CHIRAC by Dominique Gosset and Géraud Bénech
Until August 22 at the Théâtre de la Contrescarpe 5 rue Blainville Paris 75005

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 9 p.m.
Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. Sundays at 4:30 p.m.
With Fabienne Galloux and Marc Chouppart
Directed by Géraud Bénech

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