A sound: the thunder of applause that echoes as the stage has just been plunged into darkness. The four actors reappear, bowing with emotion in front of a captivated audience, slowly bringing us back to reality after 1h30 of delightful excitement. A well-deserved ovation, leaving the magic of the show lingering for a few moments longer and putting 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, released 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 only two of them remain in the running at the end: Martin Hill and Daniel Radcliffe. While Daniel is ultimately chosen to embody Harry, one of the most famous characters in film history, Martin faces a slow descent into despair. How does one grow up as a teenager and young adult after experiencing such a disappointment? How does one live a normal life while daily confronting this Harry Potter – ultimately regarded as “he who must not be named” – who has become a true global phenomenon, omnipresent everywhere…?
where do we set our gaze? How can we accept being the one that the world will never know when we could have become an international star?
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©Fabienne Rappeneau
It is through a colorful staging, brilliantly crafted with ingenuity by Sophie Accard, that the story of Martin Hill unfolds before our eyes. To portray this central character, weighed down by life and the pesky "chain of events," we have the talented Axel Auriant. With his energy and sparkle, round glasses, and school uniform, he takes the stage, leaving us completely captivated by the tale of this "number two." Sometimes included in his story, sometimes a spectator of his own life, the protagonist unwinds the thread of his existence with the utmost accuracy.
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 roles with humor and without missing a beat. Serge Da Silva plays the part of the journalist with inappropriate comments, the unhealthy and violent father-in-law, and the producer who turns Martin's life upside down, while Pierre Bénétit lends his features to Martin's father, the rebellious and heartless half-brother, or the best friend you can always count on. Valentine Revel-Mouroz, on the other hand, slips into the role of Martin's mother, the casting director, J. K. Rowling, or the girlfriend who helps Martin turn the page, with a nearly disarming ease. A quick succession that enhances the dynamism of the play, while keeping the audience engaged throughout.
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All four of them thrive in a similarly chameleon-like setting. From a family apartment in London to the Louvre, through a British club and a film set... The scene transforms with a wave of a magic wand, ensuring that no part of Foenkinos' work goes unnoticed. 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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