Elle pas princesse, Lui pas Héros

Leïli and Nils are in the same class. Leïli likes to hunt, dress like boys, and gel her short hair. Nils likes to wear his hair long, shows his emotions, and is not physically strong. Neither conforms to gendered roles that society dictates. Told through the voices of Leïli and Nils, this intimate and poignant theater piece transports the audience into the mind of young boys and girls confronting the cultural stereotypes imposed on them as they come of age.

Commissioned in English for TILT 2019 and produced with a new cast of American actors, She No Princess, He No Hero will be performed in classroom-sized venues for small audiences. The audience will be split into two groups, with each one hearing from either Leïli or Nils. At intermission, the groups will switch rooms and hear from the second character. Together, they come to understand that they don’t need to be a princess or a hero; they can just be themselves.

Elle pas princesse, Lui pas héros
World French premiere January 2016, World English premiere March 2019
Ages 7 & up
70 mins

Conception and direction by Johanny Bert
Cast Marleny Heredia (Leïli), Zan VaiLento (Nils)
Assistant director Dylan Côté
Text commissioned from Magali Mougel
Translation by Christopher Campbell
Illustrations Michael Ribaltchenko
Administration, production, touring Mathieu Hilléreau and Les Indépendances
US tour produced by the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF)

Le Théâtre de Romette is supported by the DRAC Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, by the state Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and by the city of Clermont-Ferrand. Johanny Bert is an Associated Artist at Bateau Feu – Scène Nationale Dunkerque and Maison des Arts du Léman de Thonon-Evian-Publier.