Reception of the Molières nominees: the “rabbit” by Rachida Dati

“Oh, so she’s not coming? » She is Rachida Dati, expected for the reception of the nominees for the 35th Nuit des Molières, broadcast on France 2 on May 6. 11 a.m., the rumor grows. The potential winners were present at the cocktail party given in the lounge of the Ministry of Culture, rue de Valois. “Colette lived nearby in the garden of the Palais-Royal,” explains Cléo Sénia – who played the writer – to Alain Sachs, the director of Freud and the Maid (until May 5 at the Théâtre Montparnasse ). “At the start of the school year, I will perform Cyrano de Bergerac,” he explains. Two steps from him sits Laurent Lafitte, who has just played the character at the Comédie-Française.

“I hope that The Circle of Disappeared Poets wins the Molière for best private show,” observes Jean-Claude Houdinière, next to Fleur, his daughter, a producer like him. Franck Desmedt, Joseph Kessel scoring at the Théâtre Rive Gauche, stands near Arthur Jugnot, Stéphane Freiss, Thierry Frémont, the collaborator of Le Repas des fauves (Hébertot), and Jean-Philippe Daguerre. The bestselling author of Le Petit Coiffeur is preparing a new play. “There is a lottery aspect to Les Mo lières, but everyone is happy to be here,” continues Alain Sachs, who “hopes” to see Rachida Dati.

Salomé Lelouch, cap on her long hair, greets him. “I’m going to greet my teams” warns the one who is also the director of the Théâtre Lepic. Enter Laurent Bentata, who supports The Lion King (Mogador), Guillaume Bouchède, remarkable in Je m'appelle Asher Lev (Paris Béliers), Maxime d'Aboville, Pauvre Bitos (Hébertot). “Emmanuel Macron does something about Europe; he needs all his ministers to be with him. » Alain Sachs already excuses Rachida Dati. “She exaggerates, she gives little space to Culture,” murmurs a disgruntled person. Josiane Stoléru regrets not having played Yasmina Reza's play enough, James Brown wore curlers. Gérald Sibleyras, who adapted the Circle of Disappeared Poets, consoles her.

12:40 p.m. Jean-Marc Dumontet, president of the board of directors of Molières, confirms that the Minister of Culture will not come. “It was requisitioned this morning by the President of the Republic,” announced his chief of staff. We come back to the cut in the budget of the Ministry of Culture for artistic creation, 96 million euros out of 200 million euros. “Rachida Dati had to take her part, she was supportive. She looks forward to seeing you at the Molières ceremony,” says her director.

“ It’s a triumph of supporting roles! The president of France Télévisions is not there either,” laughs Michel Field, director of the group’s culture division. Caroline Vigneaux, mistress of ceremonies of the 35th Night warns: the recipients will not have the right to thank.