It’s one of the biggest successes in French literature. When in 1960, La Promesse de l’aube – a novel written by Romain Gary – was published, the literary landscape was forever changed. It’s a story that he doesn’t see as an autobiography, but it is deeply rooted in his personal life and in the relationship he had with his mother, Mina Owczyńska. Starting from October 2, 2025, this famous tale will leap off the pages and head to the stage of the Théâtre de la Contrescarpe.
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Three actors on stage
In an adaptation and staging by Tigran Mekhitarian, The Promise of Dawn introduces us to a mother and her son living in a small village in Poland. Throughout her life, this woman will make every necessary sacrifice for her son to become the greatest French writer. With themes of unwavering maternal love, memory, and guilt, the play allows us to rediscover this great classic in just 1 hour and 25 minutes. On stage, Tigran Mekhitarian will be joined by Delphine Husté and Léonard Stefanica.
Several cinematic and theatrical adaptations of this novel
Having sold over a million copies, the novel has also seen film and theater adaptations.
e;film adaptations: in 1970 by Jules Dassin and in 2017 by Éric Barbier, featuring Pierre Niney and Charlotte Gainsbourg. A theater piece was dedicated to it at the Théâtre de Poche Montparnasse during the 2020/2021 season, with Stéphane Freiss.Voir cette publication sur Instagram
The Promise of Dawn
Théâtre de la Contrescarpe
5, rue Blainville — 5th
From October 2, 2025, to January 11, 2026
Thursday to Saturday at 9 PM
Saturdays at 4:30 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
More information