At the Comédie-Française, 700 inhabitants of Trappes invited for L'Avare

“The play was awesome. If I can, I'll be back!" At 38, Nawell "often passes" in front of the Comédie-Française but she had "never returned". On Saturday, she was one of the 700 inhabitants of the city of Trappes invited to see L'Avare there.

This initiative is part of the new twinning that links the city of Yvelines to the Parisian institution. An idea that germinated in the mind of Alain Degois, nicknamed "Grandpa", known for having brought out Jamel Debbouze. This man of the theater, friend with Éric Ruf, general administrator of the French, also collaborates with the "house of Molière".

“The goal is really that we take Trappes on a cultural transhumance. (...) The Comédie-Française wanted to open up to a more popular audience. And the city of Trappes wanted to bring the best of culture to our children, ”explains Ali Rabeh, its mayor, to AFP.

After a trip aboard one of the 15 buses chartered for the occasion, the 700 inhabitants of Trappes found themselves in front of the building near the garden of the Palais Royal. “For them, it is not possible to come here. They are distant, not only from the culture, but also from these establishments”, underlines Mr. Rabeh. “Today, we tell them that it is possible. Of course it's also at home, that this cultural France is yours too, ”he adds.

A few moments later, “Papy” goes on stage. Before the curtain rises, he calls out, "Are there any Trappists in the room?" Cries, laughter and applause burst forth. Reactions that punctuated the two-hour performance of Molière's play, directed by Lilo Baur.

At the exit, Jodyne, 15, assures that she will return. “This is the first time that I have come to the Comédie-Française. And Molière is an artist that we study at school so it's always interesting to see one of his pieces. As for the institution, the observation is also positive. “It is this type of event that gives meaning to our theatrical activity. It's when we offer spectators a first time that we see the importance of our profession, ”rejoices Marine Jubin, head of its educational program.