A sound: the thunderous applause echoing just as the stage has been plunged into darkness. The four actors reappear, bowing with emotion in front of a captivated audience, slowly bringing us back to reality after 1 hour and 30 minutes of delightful excitement. A well-deserved ovation, leaving the magic of the show lingering for a few more moments and etching an unwavering smile on our faces. Since January 18th, the stage of the Théâtre Tristan Bernard has been hosting the play Numéro Deux, based on the eponymous novel by David Foenkinos, published in 2022. A work that blends humor, emotion, and upheaval, which we loved just as much as its theatrical adaptation by Léonard Prain.
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An Energetic and Captivating Show
1999. The casting begins to find the young man who will play Harry Potter in the movies. Hundreds of boys audition, but in the end, only two of them remain in the running: Martin Hill and Daniel Radcliffe. While the latter is ultimately chosen to portray Harry, one of the most famous characters in cinema, the former experiences a slow descent into despair. How does one grow up as a teenager and a young adult after experiencing such a disappointment? How can one live a normal life while constantly facing this Harry Potter – ultimately regarded as “the one whose name must not be spoken” – who has become a true global phenomenon, omnipresent and so recognizable?
where should we focus our gaze? How can we accept being the one that the world will never know when we could have become an international star?
©Fabienne Rappeneau
It's through a vibrant and brilliantly ingenious staging, crafted by Sophie Accard, that the story of Martin Hill unfolds before our eyes. To embody this main character, weighed down by life and unfortunate unfortunate events, we have none other than Axel Auriant. With his energy and sparkle, his round glasses, and his school uniform, he takes the stage, completely captivating us with the tale of this “number two.” Sometimes part of the narrative, sometimes a spectator of his own story, the protagonist weaves the thread of his life with the utmost precision.
A quartet of multi-role actors
To accompany him, three actors &the stunning versatility. Three actors to portray a multitude of characters. As discreet as if they were wearing an invisibility cloak, they seamlessly switch between roles with humor and zero blunders. Serge Da Silva happily takes on the role of the improper journalist, the creepy and violent father-in-law, or the producer who turns Martin's life upside down, while Pierre Bénénit lends his features to Martin's father, the rebellious and heartless half-brother, or the reliable best friend. Valentine Revel-Mouroz, on the other hand, slips into the shoes of Martin's mother, the casting director, J.K. Rowling, or the girlfriend who helps Martin turn the page, with a skill that’s almost disarming. A rapid succession that fuels the dynamism of the play, never losing the audience's attention.
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All four of them thrive in a decor that's just as chameleonic. From a family apartment in London to the Louvre, passing through a British club and a film set... The scene changes its look with a wave of a magic wand, ensuring that no part of Foenkinos' work goes unnoticed. It's an adaptation of remarkable precision that you'll want to see again without any hesitation.
Number Two
Théâtre Tristan Bernard
64, rue du Rocher – 8th
From Tuesday to Saturday
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