The Story
Pierre Malaquet, 38 years old (played by Pierre Palmade), wonders who the stranger is rummaging through the aisles of his small provincial supermarket… same gangly build, same washed-out eyes, there seems to be a family resemblance. Surprise: it’s his dad! Pierre Malaquet, a young rigid executive, is the complete opposite of his father’s unstable and brazen values and lifestyle. Why should he embrace this irresponsible father (played by Pierre Richard) who disgracefully abandoned his wife and child years ago? But, well! It’s Christmas and it’s too cold to leave a progenitor out in the cold. Thus, Pierre welcomes this unfamiliar yet close stranger into his home… The two men will now have to get to know each other, despite 35 years of absence that separates them.
The Principle
In the same vein as “Ils s’aiment” and “Ils se sont aimés”, the two shows featuring Pierre Palmade and Michèle Laroque, “Pierre & Son” tells through sketches, the intimate and turbulent story of the Father/Son couple, alias Pierre Richard / Pierre Palmade.
Often in disagreement, in bad faith, but touching, tender, discreet, and always funny, the father and son must reconcile in 10 scenes. Don’t look for the unity of place or time dear to the theater, they are gone in favor of suggested settings (the viewer cheerfully transitions from the supermarket to the zoo!), fictional characters, and a staging entirely devoted to the effectiveness of the sketches…
The Actors
At the age of 19, Pierre Palmade moved to the capital to embark on a career in comedy. There, he met exceptional women who made a strong impression on his talent. Sylvie Joly directed him for the first time and became his mentor. He co-wrote all the sketches for Muriel Robin. He also participated in writing major shows played by Jean-Marie Bigard, Michèle Laroque, Guy Bedos, Mimi Mathy, and many others.
In cinema, he wrote dialogues for films such as “Pédale douce” and starred in “Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar.”
In Paris, Pierre Richard was so drawn to theater that he took drama courses at the Centre Dullin and with Jean Vilar.
He started his career in cinema in 1967, but it was not until 1970 and “Le Distrait” that he was tailored a role and a character. Pierre Richard, comfortable in all roles, took the time to prove it over the course of his 50 films, nearly forty of which he headlined. The actor is now globally known and appreciated.
