September 13, 2005 -

“A magnificent theatre experience that leaves us thunderstruck, breathless.”
– Laurence Liban, L’Express

Ottawa, Ontario -- What sets a woman’s heart aflame? Long before Flaubert, Henry James or Simone de Beauvoir, Madame de La Fayette explored that very question in her novel La Princesse de Clèves, published “anonymously” in 1678 (the first edition to identify her as the author wasn’t released until 1780). Never before had the devastating power of human emotions, expressed in French of dazzling rigour, been so sublimely rendered. This literary masterpiece, often cited as the first modern French novel, is a flawlessly elegant symphony of love, a poetic reflection on the human condition.

Acclaimed French director/actor/dancer Marcel Bozonnet first directed and performed La Princesse de Clèves in 1995, at the Maison de la Culture de Bourges (France), in astage adaptation by Alain Zaepffel. Michel Coumot, theatre critic for Le Monde, enthused, “Sumptuously dressed in the gilded silks of the age, Marcel Bozonnet is more than an actor: he’s an apparition, a ‘spirit,’ a diamond from a bygone era—exquisite, lighter than air, ethereal.” Since then, Mr. Bozonnet has reprised this virtuoso performance nearly every year for a decade, a rigorous exercise governed by the most exacting artistic standards. Dressed in full period costume from the time of Henry II (ruffled collar, neatly-trimmed beard and all), bathed in iridescent light, he brings Madame de La Fayette’s words brilliantly to life and conveys, in meticulously-choreographed gestures, all the grace of the French Renaissance.

At the invitation of Denis Marleau, Artistic Director of the National Arts Centre (NAC) French Theatre, Marcel Bozonnet will present the exclusive North American engagement of La Princesse de Clèves in the NAC Studio, Wednesday, September 21 through Saturday, September 24 at 20:00. We are delighted to welcome this outstanding French artist, General Manager (that is, Artistic Director) of the Comédie-Française since 2001. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime theatre opportunity!

La Princesse de Clèves
Based on the novel by Marie-Madeleine de La Fayette
Adapted for the stage by Alain Zaepffel
Directed and performed by Marcel Bozonnet

Lighting: Joël Hourbeigt / Choreography: Caroline Marcadé
Costumes: Patrice Cauchetier
Stage management: Guylaine Cherri / Lighting assistant: Philippe Catalano

Produced by the Maison de la Culture de Bourges
and the Centre de Créations et de Productions en Région Centre
in coproduction with the National Arts Centre, the Scène Nationale de Cergy-Pontoise,
and Studio Productions

Exclusive North American engagement!
September 21, 22, 23 & 24, 2005 at 20:00 in the NAC Studio

Tickets $30.50 (Students $16.25)
On sale at the NAC Box Office (53 Elgin Street, Ottawa; no service charges), through Ticketmaster (at all Ticketmaster outlets or by ‘phone, 613-755-1111) or online at www.nac-cna.ca

La Princesse de Clèves: Synopsis
During the reign of Henry II, at a time when the Valois are investing the French court with its first shimmerings of glamour, the beautiful Mademoiselle de Chartres—whose heart has never known the fires of love—resolves to marry the Prince of Cleves. Then she meets the Duke of Nemours, the most attractive man in the kingdom, and is instantly smitten. How can she resist, how can she conceal her violent passion? How can she live?

Madame de La Fayette
Marie-Madeleine Pioche de la Vergne was born in Paris in 1634, and at 21 married the Count of La Fayette, a widower much older than she. For most of their marriage they lived apart quite amicably: the Count spent his time at his châteaux in Auvergne, while the Countess remained in Paris in her beautiful apartments on the rue du Vaugirard. Her friends and confidantes included Henrietta of England, sister-in-law of the French king, Madame de Sévigné (to whom she was related), and other members of the Paris élite. Madame de La Fayette was a regular visitor at Court and frequented literary salons, which provided ample subject matter for her observations. Around 1655 she formed a lasting bond with La Rochefoucauld, author of the Maxims, who was to become one of her most trusted and enlightened friends: it was he who encouraged her to begin writing. In 1662 she published (anonymously) La Princesse de Montpensier, a historical novel. It was followed in 1669 and 1671, respectively, by the two volumes of Zaïde, written under the name Segrais; this heroic tale with Hispano-Moorish overtones was an instant success. La Princesse de Clèves appeared (anonymously) in 1678 and generated a discussion among its readers almost as lively as that surrounding Le Cid. Madame de La Fayette died in Paris in 1693. Three of her works were published posthumously, after 1720: Histoire de Madame, Mémoires de la Cour de France pour 1688 et 1689, and a novel, La Comtesse de Tende. Boileau wrote of her, “She is the wittiest and most talented woman writer in the world.”

Marcel Bozonnet
Marcel Bozonnet has been General Administrator of the Comédie-Française since August 4, 2001. Trained as an actor, he also studied singing, contemporary dance, and musical theatre. In 1982 he was hired by Jacques Toja of the Comédie-Française to play the title role in Vitrac’s Victor ou les enfants au pouvoir. He became the Comédie’s 476th member in 1986. From 1979 to 1984 he taught at the École Nationale Supérieure de Arts et Techniques du Théâtre, where he worked with such outstanding French directors as Patrice Chéreau, Antoine Vitez and Roger Blin. In 1993 he was appointed Director of the Conservatoire national supérieur d’art dramatique. His directing highlights include Scènes de la grande pauvreté by Sylvie Péju at the Théâtre de Gennevilliers (1990); Le Surmâle by Alfred Jarry, a modern operetta scored by Bruno Gillet, at the Théâtre des Arts de Rouen (1993); and La Princesse de Clèves (1995), based on the novel by Madame de La Fayette, which he presented in Paris, on tour in France and internationally. In July 1998, at the Festival international d’Aix-en-Provence, he staged Purcell’s Didon et Énée for the Académie européenne de musique, and the following year he codirected (with Jean Bollack) a production of Sophocles’ Antigone in which he played Creon. Most recently he directed a new production of Molière’s Tartuffe for the Comédie-Française.

The National Arts Centre French Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of the Embassy of France in Canada, the Association Française d’Action Artistique (AFAA), Le Droit, Week-end Outaouais, and Radio-Canada (La Première Chaîne).

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Information:
Guy Warin
Communication and Media Relations Officer
French Theatre, Canada’s National Arts Centre
(613) 947-7000 or 1 866 850-2787, ext. 759
gwarin@nac-cna.ca