Born from a collaboration between Les Évadés du Bataillon and the Compagnie du théâtre Mordoré, this play speaks to the hearts of children and adults. Robinson Crusoe or The True Story of My Father is playing until January 29 at the Théâtre de la Boussole.
A story within history…
Facing the Gare du Nord, in the middle of the Parisian whirlwind, the Théâtre de la Boussole if only by its name, invites you to travel and adventure. It was enough for the Escapees of the Battalion to transport us into their dreamlike universe, made of laughter and heartbeat.
We are caught up from the first seconds by this disturbing story of little Elliott, a "different" child, who speaks a language only to him, made of slips of the tongue, confusion of words and expressions of his invention. In a word, Elliot lives "in his world." A world to which only his mother has the key. But now, his mom is no longer there, and his dad, he seems unable to understand him… So Elliot ends up locking himself in his world, he finds refuge there by playing, reading. And dreaming. But one day, after an argument, his imagination runs wild and here he is caught in the middle of a storm with his father. When they open their eyes, they find themselves on a desert island. The incredible adventure can begin.
The confrontation of two worlds: the child and the adult
In a desert island setting, flattering our best shots, a bric-a-brac of objects of all kinds evokes a children's room, where everything can be diverted and find another use. This bazaar calls for games of hide and seek. Combined with a playful and energetic tone, it is to play and the vitality of children that this play appeals: for the youngest spectators, it is exhilarating and for the less young it is an opportunity to revive his memories.
If we find here and there elements of Daniel Defoe's novel, the Evadés du Bataillon brings their touch of humor and tenderness. Robinson does meet a strange being, but here he is called Today, so it is always his day!
Through the taming first of the "little savage" by Robinson, then of his education through many "rules" invented by Robinson himself, the father-son relationship develops full of sensitivity and emotion. Especially since the opposite physique and the complicity of Joëlle Lüthi and Florent Ferrier undeniably soften.
In this imaginary world, the boundaries of the real world are blurred: each can touch the other's universe, discover the secrets, fears, hopes of the other. Through the game, Eliott's dad manages to reach him. And if in this rapprochement civilized man tries to educate the wild child, it could in fact be that the great person agrees to regain a part of his childhood.
Robinson Crusoe or My Father's True Story is for children, those who have been children, and those who have children. A show oh so family from which we come out full of love and hope!
Practical information
Family show from 5 years old
From: Sarah Gabrielle and Joëlle Lüthi after Daniel Defoe
Directed by: Sarah Gabrielle
With: Florent Ferrier and Joëlle Lüthi
At the Théâtre de la Boussole (10th)
Until January 29, 2017
Wednesday at 3pm, Saturday and Sunday at 4pm
Duration of the show: 1h
Reservations: 01.85.08.09.50
