Culottées ・ Comédie-Française

Clémentine Delait, Josephine Baker, Phoolan Devi, Margaret Hamilton, Agnodice, Sonita Alizadeh, Njinga; a bearded woman, friend of all hairy beings, an American dancer and member of the resistance, a terrifying actress turned into a Hollywood star, the first female doctor of Ancient Greece, an Afghan rapper or an 8th century Chinese Empress…

Pénélope Bagieu gathered an amazing cast of icons with unique stories, powerful women, Nobel prizes or unknown individuals, in her instantly successful comic book which was translated into twenty languages. “Each of these women, whatever their era, social origin, historical context, have dared to break barriers. By doing so, not only did they change their own lives, but they also participated in transforming things, each to their own level”, says Bagieu. “It is mesmerizing to realize in how many ways one may take charge of their own life.”
Justine Heynemann adapted this bountiful diversity into a joyful cabaret. Winner of the 2019 SACD Directing Award, she often directs interdisciplinary productions, such as Lenny, her recent homage to Leonard Bernstein at the Théâtre du Rond-Point with the Divertimento symphony orchestra conducted by Zahia Ziouani; or the musical Songe à la douceur at the Théâtre Paris-Villette. She crafted this Brazen adaptation for the Comédie-Française, a place where remembrance and innovation coexist, which made it ideal to give this repertoire of women life. These thirty biographical, lively vignettes whose character make it very easy to place into context, are inspirations for a playful theatre. The Troupe embodies these exceptional personas in the span of a song or more developed short scenes, dressed in costumes from the house stash or adorning a single prop. The stage is turned into a playing field with everchanging rules for each new Brazen lady, matching their fierce sense of freedom that makes everything possible.

NEW PRODUCTION

With the generous support of Aline Foriel-Destezet, great patron of the arts.

Le texte est publié chez Gallimard Bande-dessinée

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