This phenomenon was the subject of a comic book by Florence Cestac and received an Alf’art for Humor at the prestigious Angoulême festival in 1997. The theatrical adaptation in 2003 by Marie-Pascale Osterrieth and Michèle Bernier was of the same caliber, it must be said that it was Michèle who was alone on stage. A role she also took on in the cinema in 2004—but accompanied by Simon Abkarian—directed by her co-adapter and accomplice.
It’s not easy to follow Michèle Bernier on stage, especially when, like Laurence Laouadi, one does not have the same physical presence or vocal power. Guided by her partner Gus, the actress from Laurent—who was appreciated in “La Femme Perplexe”—had the intelligence not to try to emulate “Bernier.” She succeeded in slipping with a lot of cunning, emotion, flexibility, and strength into the character of the woman abandoned by a husband stricken by the “midlife crisis,” the one who drives a man to leave her to see if “the grass is greener elsewhere” and who is ready to end his life. They could have leaned toward an “anti-men” play, but the two adapters decided to introduce the somewhat “silly” character of the mistress-fairy.
Laurence skillfully jumps from the abandoned woman to the mistress-fairy, passing through the wayward husband, who is a bit cowardly and a big macho stuffed with beer. In the end, we get a deliciously acerbic laugh at married life, where both parties, or even all three, will recognize themselves at one point or another.
Directed by Gus
Actress: Laurence Laouadi
The Midlife Crisis by Michèle Bernier and Marie-Pascale Osterrieth from the comic by Florence Cestac
November 2, 9, and 16 at 4 PM
Théâtre Ségurane / 18 rue Ségurane 06300 Nice
Reservations at 04 93 31 89 16
