Douce France

Satellite form of the project Roman(s) national for an actress in a classroom from 13 years old. Douce France is based on the well-known textbook by Ernest Lavisse in order to deflect clichés and focus on the missing narratives of the history of France.

Caught in the act of chatting, Myriam 15 years old, has been designated by Miss Richard to give a presentation the next day on “What does Being French mean nowadays?”. Her history-geography and civic education teacher gave very clear indications: she must not copy and paste information from the internet. The answer must be as personal as possible!

Myriam is desperate. She goes to the library and comes across a textbook that seems to have been forgotten for a long time: “The History of France, from Gaul to present days” by Ernest Lavisse. Such a renowned professor will definitely help her! But when her great friend Jenna lets her understand that she might not be really French, the certainties of the teenager waver.

She is French, she was born on the French soil! However, her parents and her grandparents come from Algeria and before that from Spain, so…? With the help of her mother and by summoning some ghosts, Myriam will investigate about the story of her family to find out how to answer to Miss Richard’s question.

Duration: 45 minutes followed by an exchange time

All public from 13 years old

Conception, text and direction Julie Bertin et Jade Herbulot / Le Birgit Ensemble

With Salomé Ayache

Administration, production Blandine Drouin, Manon Cardineau and Colin Pitrat, Les Indépendances
Diffusion Florence Bourgeon

Production Le Birgit Ensemble

Coproduction Théâtre de Chatillon
With the support of the Théâtre Gérard Philippe – Centre Dramatique National and the Théâtre de la Tempête.
With the artistic participation of the Jeune Théâtre National

The Birgit Ensemble is supported by the Departmental Council of Val-de-Marne, and by the city of Paris as part of the support for artistic and cultural residency.

Photo : © Lisa Surault – Le Grand T