Penthésilée

after Heinrich von Kleist
adapted and directed by Michael Thalheimer
translated into French by Julien Gracq

Vx-Colombier

27 May 12 July 2026

Vx-Colombier

Penthésilée

2026-05-27 00:00:00 2026-07-12 00:00:00

“Where the Amazons rule, a clan of Scythes used to reside, at peace with their own gods”, says Penthesilea.

One day, the Ethiopian King appeared at the foot of the mountain. The men were slaughtered and the women, raped. The tyrant married Queen Tanais, who slew him, leaving Mars – or Hades, depending on the versions – to consummate the marriage: Penthesilea was conceived. She became Queen of the Amazons, an exclusively female tribe made up of mourning wives and never-to-be-subjugated-again warriors. Their laws are strict; they capture brave warriors in order to procreate during the rose festival, but are not allowed to choose nor to love them.
In his 1808 play, Kleist tackles the myth through the passionate lens of Penthesilea and Achilles, ablaze on the burnt battlefield of their conflicting emotions. Struck by each other in battle, their only wish in to reunite in one last brutal showdown – despite the orders of their respective sides. They meet for one last battle; Achilles attends unarmed, which his lover doesn’t realise, and is passionately slain by Penthesilea.
The play follows the parallel paths of two beings, while their close circles – and the audience – watch the disaster unfold. In the preface of the French version, selected by Michael Thalheimer, translator Julien Gracq describes it as “a flow of lava burning its way down the side of a volcano”. The German director, whose theatre and opera productions are famous for their powerful expressiveness, offers a pared-down take on the piece, with only three performers, including an actress/coryphaeus. His production is focused on powerful writing and eruptions of animal, blood-thirsty urges of unbounded forms of humanity.

NEW PRODUCTION

BOOKING OPENS IN LATE SEPTEMBER 25

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Venue
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Creative team

Adaptation and direction: Michael Thalheimer Translation: Julien Gracq

Distribution

the company

  • Discover

    the 25-26 season

  • Smart glasses

    English subtitles

Les guichets et le service de location par téléphone sont fermés jusqu’au mardi 2 septembre 2025 inclus.

Réouverture le mercredi 3 septembre 2025 à 11h


SAISON 2025-2026

ATTENTION

NOUVELLES DATES POUR


Attention : en raison d'une forte demande, les cartes "famille" et "adulte" 2025-2026 ne sont plus disponibles.

Les réservations pour les Cartes et les Individuels se feront uniquement sur Internet et par téléphone au 01 44 58 15 15 (du lundi au samedi de 11h à 18h). Aucune place ne sera vendue aux guichets avant septembre pour la saison 2025-2026

L’ouverture des ventes pour les chèques-cadeaux 25-26 se feront en septembre 2025


VIGIPIRATE

En raison des mesures de sécurité renforcées dans le cadre du plan Vigipirate « Urgence 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 ou spectatrice se présentant muni d’autres sacs (sac de courses, bagage) ou objets encombrants, se verra interdire l’entrée des bâtiments.

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