The Nights of the Theater opened their doors on Wednesday evening. At the Verdure Theater on the Promenade des Anglais, performances are free. It’s an opportunity to discover amusing shows with legendary sounds.
The theater is packed, not a single seat available. The approximately 700 spectators applaud. They hope to encourage the entrance of the actors. But nothing happens, it is not time yet! The Master of Ceremonies even pointed out that he was not late. After introducing the Caramels Fous Company, he launches the first play of these Nights of the Theater with three taps of his cane on the floor. Attention, here come Les Chevaliers du Fiel!
Martine and Christian arrive on stage in bathrobes. Quickly, the spectators understand the subject of the play: a Claude François song sets the rhythm for Martine’s morning, while Christian quickly opts for the sequined jacket. Martine is dumbfounded: “You are so handsome, you look like a trout coming out of the wave!” Quite flattering. Displeased with the light breeze of the Côte d’Azur, they embark on a cruise to Egypt – a cruise won by Martine. But Christian doesn’t love his wife anymore and refuses to go on the cruise. He then causes a gas leak. That’s where it all begins.
Martine takes charge. There’s no way she’s going to miss that cruise. She calls the plumber. To act as an antenna, she uses a butcher’s knife. She doesn’t hear his words, she shouts: “I can’t hear, it’s all chopped up!” A pun among many others that made the audience laugh. The plumber then intervenes, rather crude and not very professional to boot. However, he turns out to be especially adept at offending, by saying to Christian: “Has anyone ever told you that you look like a fish?” Christian quickly responds: “Yes, it was a tuna that told me that!” The audience’s laughter is immediate.
The Confession
Between two visits from the plumber, it’s the mother-in-law’s turn to arrive. With her pronounced Niçois accent and typically modern elderly attire, she confesses to her daughter-in-law that she is being deceived by a Chinese woman. Martine confesses her adultery involving tortilla/apple pie with Mr. Rodrigues, hoping he will confess his own. Alas, he does not. What follows is a whole series of lies, each more far-fetched than the last: a luxury motorhome contest on the cruise – to lure Christian, a run-over dog that is supposedly getting better, even though it’s dead in the freezer…
Finally, the priest comes to visit Martine to check in on her. Martine regrets her sexual acts and lies, and she asks the priest if she can confess. The priest agrees, while repressing his sexual desire for her. Wishing to offer her some sorbet, she discovers her dog. Following this grim discovery, she decides to go on the cruise alone. Christian refuses: Li, his mistress, is waiting for him there. In the end, it’s together, with the dog in a freezer bag, that they finally embark on this cruise. A Claude François tune closes the show.
A quirky, funny, and very well-crafted play. The Nights of the Theater offers more until June 18, 2011, inclusive. Take advantage, laughter guaranteed at a low cost.
