Florence
Viala

503e sociétaire

Joined the Comédie-Française on the 1st of September 1994. Became the 503rd sociétaire on the 1st of January 2000

As a child Florence Viala went on tour with her actor father. Following her studies at the Dijon École nationale supérieure d’art, Solange Oswald, a teacher at the Centre dramatique national de Bourgogne introduced her to the Lecoq theater method. In Paris, she trained at the Conservatoire national supérieur d’art dramatique in classes taught by Catherine Hiegel and Daniel Mesguich.

She joined the Comédie-Française as a pensionnaire on the 1st of September 1994, and made her debut by interpreting the title role in Feydeau’s Occupe-toi d’Amélie directed by Roger Planchon. On the 1st of January 2000, she was appointed the 503rd sociétaire of the Company.
Florence Viala’s encounters with both male and female directors and authors have all contributed to the perfection of her actor’s abilities. In 1996, Jean-Paul Roussillon entrusted her with the role of Cyprienne in Victor Hugo’s Mille francs de récompense, while Muriel Mayette-Holtz directed her in Corneille’s Clitandre. Jean-Pierre Miquel first directed her in Louis Calaferte’s Les Derniers Devoirs and then in Marivaux’s Les Fausses Confidences. Robert Wilson cast her in Fables by La Fontaine. Jacques Lassalle offered her the role of Suzanne in Ödön von Horváth’s Figaro Gets a Divorce and the role of Charlotte in Molière’s Dom Juan and the Feast with the Statue (Dom Juan ou le festin de pierre). Alain Françon directed her in two plays by Chekhov, The Cherry Orchard followed by The Three Sisters, as well as in The Villegiatura Trilogy and La Locandiera, both by Goldoni. In 2002, Anatoli Vassiliev cast her as Alcmène in Molière’s Amphitryon and, in 2016, as Elle in Marguerite Duras’ La Musica, La Musica deuxième. Florence Viala appeared in two plays by Marcel Aymé, Le Loup et La Tête des autres, staged by Véronique Vella and Lilo Baur respectively. Lilo Baur offered her the role of Maria Josefa in The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico García Lorca. In 2016, Julie Deliquet directed her in Vania after Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya the following year. She played in Katharina Thalbach’s staging of Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui.
Zerbinette in Scapin the Schemer (Les Fourberies de Scapin) directed by Jean-Louis Benoit in 1997, marked the beginning of Florence Viala’s long relationship with Molière’s comedies. She played Dorimène in Le Mariage forcé by Andrzej Seweryn; Élise in The Miser (L’Avare) by Andrei Serban; Elmire in Tartuffe by Marcel Bozonnet. In 2008, she interpreted Arsinoé in Le Misanthrope by Lukas Hemleb, a character she played once more in 2014 in Clément Hervieu-Léger new staging. In 2016, Hervieu-Léger offered her the role of Dorimène in Marivaux’s Le Petit-Maître corrigé. She was nominated for the Molière Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for this performance. From Marivaux’s opus, Florence Viala had already played Marton in Les Fausses Confidences by Jean-Pierre Miquel in 1996, and Flaminia in La Double Inconstance by Anne Kessler in 2014. Recognizing her ability to champion Feydeau’s type of vaudeville, as that was the first author she performed on her arrival at the Comédie-Française, Lukas Hemleb cast her as Lucienne in Le Dindon, Jérôme Deschamps as Lucette in Un fil à la patte and Isabelle Nanty as Marcelle in The Free Exchange Hotel (L’Hôtel du Libre-Échange). Florence Viala has also interpreted contemporary authors. She played in Rainer Maria Rilke’s Everyday Life by Philippe Macaigne, in Xavier Durringer’s La Nuit à l'envers by Christophe Lidon, and in L’Ordinaire written and directed by Michel Vinaver. Due to her singing talents, she was cast in Chansons des jours avec et chansons des jours sans and Nos plus belles chansons by Philippe Meyer, and to the Cabaret Boris Vian directed by Serge Bagdassarian. She collaborated with Éric Ruf on Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, with Denis Podalydès on Musset’s Fantasio and Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, and with André Wilms on The Bacchae by Euripides.

Outside the Company, Florence Viala has worked with numerous directors, such as Dominique Pitoiset on Dernières nouvelles de la peste by Bernard Chartreux; Jean Maisonnave on La Mort de Danton by Georg Büchner; Philippe Macaigne on Madame de Sade by Mishima and Le Prince travesti by Marivaux; Jean-Pierre Miquel on Femmes parallèles by François Billetdoux; and Daniel Mesguich on L’Histoire (qu’on ne connaîtra jamais) by Hélène Cixous.
She has worked on television series and films including Chekhov’s The Three Sisters by Valeria Bruni Tedeschi and Meurtre en trois actes by Claude Mouriéras, and appeared in the following feature films: La Cité de la peur by Alain Berberian, Passage à l’acte by Francis Girod, Lautrec by Roger Planchon, Musée Haut, Musée Bas by Jean-Michel Ribes, Encore heureux by Benoît Graffin and Maryline by Guillaume Gallienne.

Florence Viala is Knight of the National Order of Merit (chevalier dans l’ordre national du Mérite) and Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres).

During the 2018/2019 season, she plays in Carlo Goldoni’s La Locandiera directed by Alain Françon, Fanny and Alexandre after Bergman directed by Julie Deliquet, Leila Slimani’s Chanson douce directed by Pauline Bayle. She will also appear in the rerun of Feydeau’s Free Exchange Hotel (L’Hôtel du Libre-Échange) directed by Isabelle Nanty and Molière’s Misanthrope by Clément Hervieu-Léger.

Soon in

Portrait d'actrice : Florence Viala

PARADOXE(S)
The motto, Simul et singulis, instantly places them at the heart of a paradox: being together and being oneself, at one time, in one place, within one entity.

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Mais quelle Comédie !

Created and directed by Serge Bagdassarian and Marina Hands

Richelieu

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Follow this comedien

At the Comédie-Française

2023-2024

2022-2023

2021-2022

  • Jean-Baptiste, Madeleine, Armande et...

    after Molière Directed by Julie Deliquet

    Madeleine Béjart, dite Mlle Béjart

    Richelieu

  • Le Misanthrope

    by Molière Directed by Clément Hervieu-Léger

    Richelieu

  • La Cerisaie

    d'Anton Tchekhov Mise en scène Clément Hervieu-Léger

    Lioubov Andreevna Ranevskaïa, propriétaire terrienne

    Richelieu

  • Fanny et Alexandre

    d'Ingmar Bergman Mise en scène Julie Deliquet

    Alma Ekdahl, épouse de Gustav Adolf, comédienne

    Richelieu

  • Mais quelle Comédie !

    Spectacle musical conçu et mis en scène par Serge Bagdassarian et Marina Hands

    Richelieu

2020-2021

  • Mais quelle Comédie !

    Musical devised and directed by Serge Bagdassarian and Marina Hands

    Richelieu

  • Le Côté de Guermantes

    d'après Marcel Proust Adaptation et mise en scène Christophe Honoré

    la Princesse de Parme

    Théâtre Marigny

2019-2020

  • Angels in America

    by Tony Kushner directed by Arnaud Desplechin

    l’Ange de l’Amérique, l’Infirmière Emily, Martin Heller et la Femme du Bronx

    Richelieu

  • La Vie de Galilée

    Life of Galileo by Bertolt Brecht Directed by Éric Ruf

    Madame Sarti et Dame de réputation internationale

    Richelieu

2018-2019

  • Le Misanthrope

    The Misanthrope by Molière Directed by Clément Hervieu-Léger

    Arsinoé

    Richelieu

  • La Vie de Galilée

    Life of Galileo by Bertolt Brecht Directed by Éric Ruf

    Madame Sarti et Dame de réputation internationale

    Richelieu

  • L'Hôtel du Libre-Échange

    The Free Exchange Hotel by Georges Feydeau Directed by Isabelle Nanty

    Marcelle, femme de Paillardin (Alternating)

    Richelieu

  • Chanson douce

    Lullaby By Leïla Slimani Directed by Pauline Bayle

    Studio

  • Fanny et Alexandre

    Fanny and Alexander by Ingmar Bergman Directed by Julie Deliquet

    Alma Ekdahl, épouse de Gustav Adolf, comédienne

    Richelieu

  • La Locandiera

    The Mistress of The Inn by Carlo Goldoni Directed by Alain Françon

    Mirandolina, aubergiste

    Richelieu

2017-2018

2016-2017

  • La Double Inconstance

    The Double Inconstancy by Marivaux Directed by Anne Kessler

    Flaminia

    Richelieu

  • L'Hôtel du Libre-Échange

    The Free Exchange Hotel by Georges Feydeau Directed by Isabelle Nanty

    Marcelle, femme de Paillardin

    Richelieu

  • La Résistible Ascension d'Arturo Ui

    The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui by Bertolt Brecht Directed by Katharina Thalbach

    Dockdaisy et Betty Dollfoot

    Richelieu

  • Le Misanthrope

    The Misanthrope by Molière Directed by Clément Hervieu-Léger

    Arsinoé

    Richelieu

  • Le Petit-Maître corrigé

    The Fop Reformed by Marivaux Directed by Clément Hervieu-Léger

    Dorimène

    Richelieu

  • The Readers’ Bureau

    Readings of contemporary authors

    Studio

  • Vania

    after Uncle Vanya by Anton Tchekhov Directed by Julie Deliquet

    Elena Andreievna Serebriakova, femme du professeur

    Vx-Colombier

2015-2016

2014-2015

2013-2014

  • Le Misanthrope

    The Misanthrope by Molière Directed by Clément Hervieu-Léger

    Arsinoé

    Richelieu

  • Richard III

    by William Shakespeare Reading directed by Anne Kessler

    Reine Elisabeth

    Maison de la Radio

  • Andromaque

    Andromache by Jean Racine Directed by Muriel Mayette-Holtz

    Céphise, confidente d’Andromaque

    Richelieu

  • The Readers’ Bureau

    Readings of contemporary authors

    Studio

  • Un fil à la patte

    A Cat Among The Pigeons by Georges Feydeau Directed by Jérôme Deschamps

    Lucette (en alternance)

    Richelieu

  • La Trilogie de la villégiature

    The Holiday Trilogy by Carlo Goldoni Directed by Alain Françon

    Costanza

    Richelieu

2012-2013

  • Cabaret Boris Vian

    by Boris Vian Directed by Serge Bagdassarian

    Studio

  • Les Trois Sœurs

    The Three Sisters by Anton Tchekhov Directed by Alain Françon

    Olga, sœur de Prozorov

    Richelieu

  • Un fil à la patte

    A Cat Among The Pigeons by Georges Feydeau Directed by Jérôme Deschamps

    Lucette (en alternance)

    Richelieu

  • La Tête des autres

    Other People's Heads by Marcel Aymé Directed by Lilo Baur

    Roberte Bertolier

    Vx-Colombier

  • La Place Royale

    by Pierre Corneille Directed by Anne-Laure Liégeois

    Angélique

    Vx-Colombier

2011-2012

2010-2011

2009-2010

  • Cyrano de Bergerac

    by Edmond Rostand Directed by Denis Podalydès

    la Bouquetière, Cadet, Musicien, Soeur Marthe (en alternance)

    Richelieu

  • Les Trois Sœurs

    The Three Sisters by Anton Tchekhov Directed by Alain Françon

    Olga, sœur de Prozorov

    Richelieu

  • Fantasio

    by Alfred de Musset Directed by Denis Podalydès

    Elsbeth

    Richelieu

  • Le Loup / Les Contes du chat perché

    The Wolf by Marcel Aymé Directed by Véronique Vella

    Delphine

    Studio

  • Figaro divorce

    Figaro Gets a Divorce by Ödön von Horváth Directed by Jacques Lassalle

    Suzanne

    Richelieu

2008-2009

  • L'Ordinaire

    by Michel Vinaver Directed by Michel Vinaver and Gilone Brun

    Pat (alternating)

    Richelieu

  • Cyrano de Bergerac

    by Edmond Rostand Directed by Denis Podalydès

    la Bouquetière, Cadet, Musicien, Soeur Marthe (en alternance)

    Richelieu

  • Figaro divorce

    Figaro Gets a Divorce by Ödön von Horváth Directed by Jacques Lassalle

    Suzanne

    Richelieu

  • Fantasio

    by Alfred de Musset Directed by Denis Podalydès

    Elsbeth

    Richelieu

2007-2008

  • Cyrano de Bergerac

    by Edmond Rostand Directed by Denis Podalydès

    La Bouquetière, Cadet, Musicien, Sœur Marthe (en alternance)

    Richelieu

  • Figaro divorce

    Figaro Gets a Divorce by Ödön von Horváth Directed by Jacques Lassalle

    Suzanne

    Richelieu

  • Le Misanthrope

    The Misanthrope by Molière Directed by Lukas Hemleb

    Arsinoé (alternating)

    Richelieu

2005-2006

  • Cyrano de Bergerac

    by Edmond Rostand Directed by Denis Podalydès

    la Bouquetière, Cadet, Musicien, Soeur Marthe

    Richelieu

2004-2005

  • Tartuffe

    by Molière Directed by Marcel Bozonnet

    Elmire

    Richelieu

  • Les Bacchantes

    The Bacchantes by Euripide Directed by André Wilms

    le Choeur

    Richelieu

  • Fables de La Fontaine

    by Jean de La Fontaine Directed by Robert Wilson

    la Cigale, l'Agneau

    Richelieu

2003-2004

  • Fables de La Fontaine

    by Jean de La Fontaine Directed by Robert Wilson

    la Cigale, l'Agneau

    Richelieu

  • Le Dindon

    by Georges Feydeau Directed by Lukas Hemleb

    Lucienne Vatelin

    Richelieu

2002-2003

  • Le Dindon

    by Georges Feydeau Directed by Lukas Hemleb

    Lucienne Vatelin

    Richelieu

  • Dom Juan ou le Festin de pierre

    Dom Juan or the Feast with the Statue by Molière Directed by Jacques Lassalle

    Charlotte

    Richelieu

2001-2002

2000-2001

  • L'Âne et le ruisseau

    The Donkey and the Stream by Alfred de Musset Directed by Nicolas Lormeau

    The Countess

    Studio

  • Le Gna

    by Pierre-Henri Loÿs Directed by Anne-André Reille

    La Mère et Melle

    Studio

  • La Nuit à l'envers

    by Xavier Durringer Directed by Christophe Lidon

    She

    Studio

  • L'Avare

    The Miser by Molière Directed by Andrei Serban

    Elise

    Richelieu

1999-2000

  • Les Fourberies de Scapin

    Scapin The Schemer by Molière Directed by Jean-Louis Benoit

    Zerbinette

    Richelieu

  • L'Avare

    The Miser by Molière Directed by Andrei Serban

    Elise

    Richelieu

  • La Vie quotidienne

    by Rainer Maria Rilke Directed by Philippe Macaigne

    Mascha

    Studio

  • Le Mariage forcé

    The Forced Marriage by Molière Directed by Andrzej Seweryn

    Dorimène

    Richelieu

  • La Cerisaie

    by Anton Tchekhov Directed by Alain Françon

    Charlotte Ivanovna

    Richelieu

1998-1999

  • Amants et vieux ménage

    by Octave Mirbeau Directed by Jean Bouchaud

    le Récitant, la Femme de chambre et Célestine

    Studio

  • La Cerisaie

    by Anton Tchekhov Directed by Alain Françon

    Charlotte Ivanovna

    Richelieu

  • Les Fourberies de Scapin

    Scapin The Schemer by Molière Directed by Jean-Louis Benoit

    Zerbinette

    Richelieu

1997-1998

  • La Cerisaie

    by Anton Tchekhov Directed by Alain Françon

    Charlotte Ivanovna

    Richelieu

  • Les Fourberies de Scapin

    Scapin The Schemer by Molière Directed by Jean-Louis Benoit

    Zerbinette (alternating)

    Richelieu

  • Les Fausses confidences

    The False Confidences by Marivaux Directed by Jean-Pierre Miquel

    Marton

    Richelieu

1996-1997

  • Jacques ou la soumission

    by Eugène Ionesco Directed by Simon Eine

    Roberte I and II

    Studio

  • Clitandre

    by Pierre Corneille Directed by Muriel Mayette-Holtz

    Caliste (alternating)

    Richelieu

  • Les Fausses confidences

    The False Confidences by Marivaux Directed by Jean-Pierre Miquel

    Marton

    Richelieu

1995-1996

1994-1995

  • Occupe-toi d'Amélie

    Take care of Amélie by Georges Feydeau Directed by Roger Planchon

    Amélie

    Richelieu

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VIGIPIRATE

En raison du renforcement des mesures de sécurité dans le cadre du plan Vigipirate « Sécurité renforcée - risque attentat », nous vous demandons de vous présenter 30 minutes avant le début de la représentation afin de faciliter le contrôle.

Nous vous rappelons également qu’un seul sac (de type sac à main, petit sac à dos) par personne est admis dans l’enceinte des trois théâtres de la Comédie-Française. Tout spectateur se présentant muni d’autres sacs (sac de courses, bagage) ou objets encombrants, se verra interdire l’entrée des bâtiments.

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