1789 (show)
| 1789 | |
|---|---|
 Matys Gomez portraying the personification of the Revolution, 2025, Lycée Marie Curie (Tarbes). | |
| Written by | Collective creation by the Théâtre du Soleil |
| Directed by | Ariane Mnouchkine |
| Genre | Contemporary theatre, drama |
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1789 is a play collectively created by the Théâtre du Soleil and directed by Ariane Mnouchkine in 1970. It depicts the early stages of the French Revolution through a popular and critical approach centered on the perspective of the people.
History
The play premiered on 11 November 1970 in Milan, at the Palazzo dello Sport "Palazzo Lido", as part of the Milano Aperta festival, hosted by the Piccolo Teatro di Milano.[1]
It was revived from 26 December 1970 at the Cartoucherie in Vincennes, where it ran for nearly two years and achieved significant public success.[1][2]
In 1973, Ariane Mnouchkine directed a film version of the production during its final weeks of performance. The film was released in 1974.[1]
Synopsis
Set in the aftermath of the Champ de Mars massacre of 17 July 1791, Parisian performers reenact the major events of the French Revolution, from the Estates-General of 1789 to the martial law decree, including the Storming of the Bastille and the night of 4 August 1789.[3]
Blending popular entertainment with political reflection, the play portrays both the revolutionary hopes and their eventual failure, marked by the loss of the ideal of equality.
Creation
The play was developed through a collective process based on actors' improvisation, informed by historical research including readings, lectures, and films.[1]
Rather than aiming for strict historical reconstruction, the production offers a critical interpretation of events, notably through the use of performers who create a distance between actors and characters.[4]
Staging
The staging features multiple interconnected platforms, allowing spectators to move through the space and symbolically participate in the action.
The performance incorporates various theatrical forms, including pantomime, farce, puppetry, and opéra bouffe.[3]
Cast
The production included a large ensemble from the Théâtre du Soleil, including:
- Roland Amstutz
- Philippe Caubère
- Georges Bonnaud
- Marie-France Duverger
- Geneviève Penchenat
- Jean-Claude Penchenat
- Mario Gonzalès
- Gérard Hardy
- Alain Salomon
Tours
1971
- Villeurbanne
- La Courneuve
- Besançon
- Thonon-les-Bains
- Caen
- Le Havre
- Sartrouville
- Zurich
- Lausanne
- Berlin
- London
- Belgrade
1973
Film adaptation
The film 1789 was directed by Ariane Mnouchkine in 1973 at the Cartoucherie de Vincennes, filmed among the audience to enhance the immersive staging.[3]
Analysis
1789 emerged within the artistic and political context following May 1968. It reflects a shift toward collective creation and politically engaged theatre.
The play is notable for rejecting narratives centered on "great men" and instead aiming to convey the popular experience of revolutionary events.[1]
Educational use
Since the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 sessions, 1789 has been included in the theatre specialization curriculum of the Baccalauréat in France, particularly through its filmed version.[1]
Quote
"The Revolution must stop at the perfection of happiness." — Saint-Just
References
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See also
This article "1789 (show)" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:1789 (show). Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
