A Feeling of life, at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord: powerful

The character says neither his name nor his first name. He, finally she, warns. She comes from a “normal”, completely “normal” French family. She compares her approach to that of Falk Richter, author of My Secret Garden. The narrator, played by Valérie Dréville, also has her secret garden, a “feeling of life” that she seeks to translate through her story into History. The two are confused. Born in Algeria, his military father participated in the Second World War and the Indochina War. His mother, who was born in France, is anti-colonialist and communist. “The story is not normal,” continues the actress.

Let's say it right away, the performance of this immense actress, who has just published The Art of the Beginner (Actes Sud), commands respect and admiration. Ponytail, golden chain around her neck, blue V-shaped sweater, hands hidden in the pockets of her black pants or raising towards the sky, the former resident of the Comédie-Française stands, almost motionless . On the bare stage of the beautiful Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, she is entirely at the service of the text by Claudine Galea (Éditions Espace 34). Shining with truth.

We listen to it until the end despite the density of the words and the Durassian repetitions. The author embraces a multitude of subjects (too many?), literary creation, the father-daughter relationship, transmission, war (all wars) and the quest for a unique emotion and a meaning of existence . Drawing on her training with the Russian director and teacher, Anatoli Vassiliev, Valérie Dréville transmits her words with a powerful voice that amazes the room (including drama students). It speaks of a daughter’s love for a father who never said “I love you” to her. “Dad” was a fan of “The Voice,” Frank Sinatra. When she drives him to the hospital, they sometimes hear one of her songs on the radio. Forgetting his suffering, his father smiled. Then the actress begins to sing My Way. Smilingly invites the audience to accompany him.

Under the discreet direction of Émilie Charriot, in the soft lighting of Alexy Carruba, Valérie Dréville gives the full measure of her talent. The daughter of actress Véronique Deschamps and filmmaker Jean Dréville has not forgotten two other masters: Antoine Vitez and Claude Régy. She distinguished herself in Iphigénie, La Mouette, Bérénice or, more recently, Tirésias, but she still considers herself a “permanent apprentice, who now wishes to pass on a little of what she experienced to the next generation of actors », writes the German director Thomas Ostermeier in the preface to his book. In addition to being gifted, Valérie Dréville is modest.

A feeling of life, at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord (Paris 10th), until January 27. Such. : 01 46 07 34 50.