On a vu Dom Juan

Marcel Maréchal presented a truly captivating performance of Don Juan at the MC93 theater in Bobigny. He directed the production, starring himself and Pierre Arditi in the title role and as Sganarelle. It was a reunion with the character of Sganarelle, a role he had played 20 years earlier alongside Gérard Guillaumat, under the direction of Patrice Chéreau. These 20 years allowed him to develop his interpretation, resulting in a Don Juan in which the relationship between Don Juan and Sganarelle truly illuminates the play. While Pierre Arditi boldly proclaims his thirst for freedom, his disregard for conventions that would hinder him from doing as he pleases, and his contempt for others, starting with Elvire, simply observing Marcel Maréchal's expression reveals that their relationship is at the heart of the play. His initial expression is one of astonishment, yet it subtly reveals a certain admiration. This barely perceptible detail on the large stage of the MC93 provides a key to understanding how this dynamic works, how Don Juan could not exist without Sganarelle, just as Sganarelle would be incomplete without his Don Juan. This expression invites us to consider Sganarelle as the central figure of the tragicomedy. It puts into perspective the self-assurance displayed by Don Juan, ranging from the fascination exerted by a charismatic master to the compassion of a mother facing the tragic fate of a rebellious child who doesn't even respect the statue of the Commander. And then, the play truly begins to speak to us.