In 1920, This Side of Paradise, Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s first novel, consecrated him the most prominent author in the United States of America in just three days.
Zelda Sayre joins him in New York on April 3rd, where they get married. Zelda is his muse, his wife, becomes the icon of the Flappers, she brilliantly embodies the free and playful woman. But behind this image, which thousands and then millions of women will follow, hides a woman who slides from the most absolute happiness to the intolerable pain of being only “Miss”.
Zelda, writes, paints, dances, she is an artist too. Her husband uses her writings because she has an extraordinary pen, a way of saying unique things. Zelda is the woman in Scott Fitzgerald’s novels, but like these women, she declines as the pages are delivered. The more the ink spreads, the more it loses substance. The writer becomes a vampire.
The couple bends but never gives in. Scott, on the other hand, died of a heart attack at 44, and Zelda remained locked up in a mental hospital for 18 years of his life, which numbered 47.
It is this chaotic destiny that takes shape in this one on stage, but this time through the gaze of the one who had the right, over the years, to be silent, to accept that her own news be signed by her husband’s hand.
Locked in her hospital, Zelda, really ended up sinking. Who would not have died? She then lives in her memories, as wonderful as toxic, as sublime as unhealthy. She shares with us this extraordinary love, at once radiating, terribly demanding and murderous.
Written and played by Sam Vansteen
Direction and scenography: Frederic Patto
Lights: Anne Gayan
Voice: Simon Larvanon
Poster: Lise Buleon
Photos: Hélène Degy for Scott / Michel Seng for Zelda
Booking online
Date and time: Friday, June 10th, 2020 at 7:30 pm
Address: Theatre du Lycée Français de San Francisco – 1201 Ortega Street – San Francisco
Merci Theatre du Lycée Français de San Francisco
