Molière from a feminine perspective is the daring act of Anne Kessler in her one-woman show Ex-traits de femmes. With timeless dialogues and animated illustrations, the actress from Comédie-Française brings to life a mosaic of female characters whose echoes still resonate three centuries later.
A Feminine Dialogue Between the 17th Century and 2024
In just a few days, the Studio Pierre Cardin will host Ex-traits de femmes, a one-woman show where Anne Kessler gives voice back to the heroines of Molière. Louison, Agnès, Célimène, Dorine, and so many others come to life through her. These heroines, who once seemed frozen in the marble of a bygone era, astonishingly reveal themselves to be remarkably relevant today. Their struggles – whether for independence, education,or simply the right to love as they see fit – resonates with the aspirations of women today.
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© Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Anne Kessler transcends centuries by embodying with a disarming ease this gallery of female characters, as if they were facets of a single woman, inviting us to an intimate conversation with each of them. Every word, every gesture resonates perfectly, and the finely selected texts of Molière seem to have been written just yesterday.
A bold staging
What makes Ex-traits de femmes a unique experience is its visual boldness. By blending theater and graphic animation, it offers a staging that is as visual as it is narrative. The animated drawings, far from being anecdotal, bring emotional depth,like echoes to the characters' subconscious. An audacious artistic choice that wonderfully elevates Molière's text and makes it more accessible than ever.
© Christophe Raynaud de Lage
More than just a simple monologue, Anne Kessler reinvents Molière and offers a vibrant tribute to his heroines who are often reduced to stereotypes. She restores their complexity, their humanity, while inviting the audience to weave, in turn, a connection with them. A further proof that great classical works continue to be a fascinating mirror of our societies, regardless of the era.
Ex-traits de femmes
Theatre de la Concorde
1, Avenue Gabriel - 8th
From February 4 to 12, 2025
Tue. to Fri. at 8:30 PM, Sat. at 3 PM and 8:30 PM, Sun. at 3 PM
More info and tickets
