Richard is, of course, Richard Cairaschi, the most Nissart of comedians, and Benjamin is his counterpart in song, Benjamin Novarino Giana, who, after Nux Vomica, is enjoying great success with Lo Cor de la Plana, a polyphonic group from Marseille. The two now make a fine pair of fathers on stage in this comedy of manners written by Richard, who wanted, in his own way, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Françoise Dolto’s birth.
The Nice troublemaker didn’t just write the dialogues, he also directed the play and performed on stage. He even did more, causing him to stress to the point that he “skipped” a few lines during the “premiere.” The audience was already on his side and did not hold it against him, as they had come to see the “latest joke” from the man who had captivated them with his book “Talking About Nice and its County” published by Gilleta-Nice-Matin.
He, Jean-Louis Bochardon, HR manager of a large company, took a sabbatical year to look after Marion, his youngest daughter, whom his new wife, 35 years younger, leaves him with while she prefers to spend her time working. He knows Françoise Dolto and her books like the back of his hand and doesn’t want to miss out on his new role as a father as he did with his children from a previous marriage. He has read a lot about child education and swears only by book advice, which deeply annoys his young neighbor, Gilbert Pati, a long-term unemployed man who is also a new dad to a little Theo, whom his much older wife entrusts to him while she works. At first glance, that is the only common point between the two men: their wives work while they try to parent in their own ways…
For this musician always seeking success, there is no question of miracle and educational recipes in books and the first discussion between the two fathers is about the use of diapers. They do not have the same conception of life at all, especially the education of a child, as they are not from the same generation. The laughter comes naturally as the verbal exchanges unfold, which are often arduous between these two dads, like this line from the older one when faced with doubts about his vigor from the “pitchoun,” “Even when the snow is on the peaks, the plant is always green.” What about the song “Assedic blues, sabbatical blues”? Come listen to them, hoping that the real future father (expected at the end of the year), Benjamin, doesn’t have to take a “sabbatical evening” during a performance! They will be on stage until December 31st, which will be a gala evening as well as the last performance.
Text, direction & scenography by Richard Cairaschi with Benjamin Novarino Giana and Richard Cairaschi. (www.debi-debo.com)
“La Père” (every weekend) until December 31st at 9:00 p.m. (Sundays 21st and 28th at 3 p.m.)
Théâtre de la Cité / 3, rue Paganini – NICE – Info & reservations at 04 93 16 82 69 or on www.theatredelacite.fr
