On a vu Dom Juan

There is undoubtedly a certain magic to this Don Juan. Something that explains why it remains etched in our memory for so long, perhaps forever. We forget everything we know about Don Juan, we forget to be overwhelmed by the weight of its reputation as a classic. We forget all those who have brought Don Juan to life on stage—Louis Jouvet, Jean Vilar, Maurice Bluwal. We start the play from scratch. First, there is Niels Arestrup, whose almost animalistic presence gives life to a Don Juan who is impetuous, playful, rebellious, and cynical. His highly physical performance conveys the fiery energy of a Don Juan who constantly pushes the boundaries of provocation, flouting social and moral rules. With an energy that moves mountains before transforming into a desperate, almost frenzied energy. In any case, it cannot last forever. The tension he creates throughout the play serves the tragic dimension that lies at the heart of the work. Then there is Sganarelle, played by Claude Evrard, who observes his Don Juan, whom he knows intimately, both fascinated and troubled by him. There is also, undoubtedly, the direction of Maurice Bénichou, who skillfully harnessed Niels Arestrup's energy and put it to the service of the play. There is the venue, the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, whose stark simplicity resonates with the intensity of this Don Juan. There is no distance between the audience, the actors, and the characters. We are fully immersed in this overwhelming experience, captivated like a deer in the headlights. But all of this still doesn't fully explain what happens. After all, it doesn't matter; that's what we hope to experience in the theater, with a capital T. Thank you for giving us this much-sought-after moment.