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Note, the room Smile by Nicolas Nebot and Dan Menasche tells a true story at the Festival OFF Avignon 2023! That of Charlie Chaplin’s marriage proposal to the one he loves. Bulles de Culture’s opinion and theater review on this show.
Synopsis :
London, Tuesday September 13, 1910. Charlie Chaplin (Alexandre Faitrouni), 19, gave an anonymous date to Hetty Kelly (Pauline Bression), a cabaret dancer, at Fred Karno, with whom he is secretly in love. They find themselves by a combination of circumstances at the Mitz pub instead of the Ritz. The accomplice bartender (And Menasche) makes sure that their evening goes well. But Charlie is ten minutes late.
Just like in the movie an endless day d’Harold Ramisthis dating scene is going to happen again and again. Nicolas Nebot immerses us in the black and white universe of Charlot. But will Hetty accept this marriage proposal?
Here, the visual treatment is not classic. As in a film from the beginning of the 20th century, the sets and characters are in black and white. With his slow motions, accelerated motions and flashbacks, the co-author and director Nicolas Nebot pays a fine tribute to silent cinema. An original parenthesis tinged with sweetness.
Smile at the Festival OFF Avignon: a tribute to silent film
The “Smile” show © Jérémy Nebot
Such is the strength and originality of this play directed by Nicolas Nebot. The visual treatment is stunning. The producer Fanny Jourdan present Smile like the first play in France given in black and white.
It feels like the heart of the Kid or some Modern times. The actors’ make-up, created by Zoé Cattelan, whitens their skin to the tips of their nails. The work of lights Laurent Beal accentuates the diaphanous complexion of the actors of Smile. the costumes of Mary Credou in black and white take up the codes of the future artist.
He’s the accomplice bartender of the date, played by And Menasche, which adorns Charlie with a bowler hat, an umbrella and a small mustache. And Charlot comes to life before our eyes thanks to the exceptional performance ofAlexandre Faitrouni. He accurately picks up the shy and jerky gestures of Charlot. He punctuates his remarks with small stiff movements of the fingers and the future sad clown of dark rooms comes to life.
A journey through time
The “Smile” show © Jérémy Nebot
“You are, you are… See you tonight at the Mitz. » Such is the word written in lipstick, which Hetty finds on her dancer’s mirror. This evening at the pub will be decisive in the life of Charlie Chaplin.
This is why the treatment of time is important there. This meeting will be replayed three times – beware of the boredom that could lurk!
Luckily, fast motions, slow motions or flashbacks of Smile are a great idea from the director Nicolas Nebot, although the second version may lack a bit of rhythm. The actors rewind to the music of Dominique Matte and transport the spectator from the theater to the cinema.
Beautiful tribute to the beginnings of the 7th art. But not only. The scenes are not always reproduced exactly identically. They allow for changes in perspective. Just like in a comic bubble, we access the thoughts of the characters. This is how, for example, during the 3rd version of the date, we finally understand why Charlie was in socks.
In addition, the scenery also offers a new visual angle, because it moves. Likewise, the end of the play changes to color and takes us on a leap in time: 11 years later, Charlie returns and has become very famous under the name of Charlot.
A poetic love story
The “Smile” show © Jérémy Nebot
Just like the character of Charlot, Smile is a touching piece. The love between Charlie and Hetty is mutual. But the dancer knows that Charlie’s fate awaits her in America. That’s why she refuses his marriage proposal. It is thanks to this NO that Charlie became the famous Charlot.
This moving love story is tinged with poetry. “She will never have given you that kiss, but she will have smiled at you”, said the bartender witnessing their love. Their story is like a sweet song: “Your laughter is my favorite music!” » Charlie said to his beloved. But he will only keep the scent of her jasmine scent.
Our opinion ?
The play Smile was created on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the disappearance of Charlie Chaplin. She received two nominations for Molieres 2023 : that of visual and sound creation and that of masculine revelation for Alexandre Faitrouni.
“Laughter is the most direct path between two beings”said Charlie Chaplin. The form of this show is striking and innovative. But basically, maybe it would have been necessary to instill a little grain of madness in the whole.
The main thing is that this little gem emotionally immerses us in an era. “There are no coincidences, only appointments with your destiny”, said Chaplin. In SmileCharlot has an appointment with his destiny.
Learn more:
Smile at the Festival OFF Avignon 2023, at Béliers Theater – Avignon from July 7 to 29 at 8:50 p.m. Breaks on July 9, 16, 23 Cast: Alexandre Faitrouni, Dan Menasche and Pauline Bression Staging: Nicolas Nebot Costume designer: Marie Credou Music: Dominique Mattei Light: Laurent Beal Make-up artist: Zoé Cattelan Duration: 1h15 Show from 7 years old I have been teaching French since 1988. All cultural experiences fascinate me. I like literature, dance, sculpture. My theater certification has allowed me to lead workshops for over 30 years. I put on one show a year, musical if possible. I am part of the Cultural Council of the Comédie de St Etienne. All forms of Art question me and I expect a show to live on in me for a long time.
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