« “At the will of the people […] hope still exists and it’s for tomorrow.” » There were surely no words more fitting than those from this legendary song in the musical Les Misérables to kick off the 36th Molières ceremony this Monday, April 28, 2025. Sung powerfully in front of the audience at the Folies Bergère, these few words set the tone for an evening filled with emotion, unity, resistance, freedom, and brotherhood. The spectacular entrance of Caroline Vigneaux, the ceremony's host for the second consecutive year, was a perfect follow-up: dressed as Marianne, one breast exposed, a strong symbol for France and its culture. « At this moment freedom feels very alone in guiding the people », she laments.
```html te class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJASr2guhS1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
A direct confrontation with the Minister of Culture
While the words of Les Misérables set the tone, those of Michel Berger echoed in the background throughout the evening. « Resist. » Right from the start, the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, took...grave's awaited during this evening and set up in the orchestra was targeted. And for good reason, the budget cuts imposed on the field of culture for several months are weakening both the sector and the artists. This situation was described as "catastrophic" by Didier Brice, mobilized for the CGT Spectacle. Yet "the theater is still here, just like you, Madam Minister," retorted Caroline Vigneaux. "Less fuss, more Anouilh, (...) less war, more Molière," she added. As the speeches went on, messages of resistance and struggle piled up and intensified, showing that unity is strength. The standing ovation from the entire audience, except for the minister, that followed Didier Brice's speech was a particularly telling image.
An unprecedented victory for Le soulier de satin and Du charbon dans les veines
The Molières 2025 will remain etched in our memories, that's undeniable. But the memory of the number of golden statuettes won by the productions Le soulier de satin, performed at the Comédie-Française, and Du charbon dans les veines at the Théâtre Saint-Georges, will be eternal. Between them, they have won ten of the 19 precious trophies awarded that night. The Molière for Best Direction of a Public Theatre Performance went to Éric Ruf, the Molière for Best Actress in a Public Theatre Performance went to Marina Hands, the Molière for Best Actor in a Supporting Role went to Laurent Stocker, the Molière for Best Visual and Sound Creation, and the prestigious Molière for Public Theatre were awarded to Soulier de satin. On the other hand, Du charbon dans les veines was crowned with the Molière for Private Theatre, the Molière for Best Direction of a Private Theatre Performance, and the Molière from the Author for Jean-Philippe Daguerre, as well as Molière from the Actress in a supporting role for Raphaëlle Cambray and Molière for the Women's Theatre Revelation for Juliette Béhar.
©Lucie Guerra
The Molières of Youth and Timelessness
More than ever, youth was celebrated during this ceremony, showcasing the ever-renewing world of live performance. Facing Axel Auriant in Numéro Deux, it was Vassili Schneider who won the Molière for Male Revelation for The Next Time You Bite the Dust, an adaptation of the book by Panayotis Pascot, directed by his brother, Paul Pascot. A precious ticket for a play that will return to the stage at Théâtre Antoine from May 21 to June 7, after weeks of being fully booked!during the Théâtre du Petit Saint-Martin. How does it feel to get back on stage after winning the Molière? « Maybe it adds a little extra pressure, but I’m just so happy and delighted to be back on stage to share this text with those who haven’t seen it, and to reconnect with it myself, we haven't seen each other for two months », the young laureate tells us.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
On the side of the best comedy show, none other than Paul Mirabel, whose dates for 2025 are already fully booked, has won the Molière award. This is a true comeback for the 29-year-old comedian: “Thank you to Cours Florent for not keeping me, saying that stand-up wasn't an art. I'm happy to have proven you wrong,” he shares during his speech. “The child I was would have dreamed of doing this job and here I am doing it,” he adds with emotion as he leaves. The honorary Molière was awarded to Thomas Jolly for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. “The theater and the Olympics are cousins; they were born in the cradle of democracy,” he stated. Interspersed with excerpts from performances of Les Misérables or La Haine, this evening was proof that live performances, even though "nothing is ever guaranteed", are more timeless than ever, more attractive than ever, brighter than ever.
The other winners of the Molières 2025
Molière for Comedy: The Loop, by Robin Goupil, directed by Robin Goupil at the Théâtre des Béliers Parisiens
Molière for Solo Performance: Pauline & Carton with Christine Murillo at La Scala Paris and Artistic Athévains
Molière for Actor in a Private Theater Performance: Guillaume Bouchède in Les marchands d'étoiles by Anthony Michineau, directed by Julien Alluguette
Molière for Actress in a Private Theater Performance:
Best Actress: Delphine Depardieu in Les liaisons dangereuses by Arnaud Denis, directed by Arnaud Denis
Molière Award for Best Actor in a Public Theatre Performance: Denis Lavant in Fin de partie by Samuel Beckett, directed by Jacques Osinski
Molière Award for Best Young Audience Show: Ulysse, l'odyssée musicale by Ely Grimaldi and Igor de Chaillé, directed by Guillaume Bouchède
Molière Award for Best Musical: Les Misérables by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, directed by Ladislas Chollat at the Théâtre du Châtelet
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
