The Lycée Français de San Francisco Theater kicks off its season with a captivating play: La Grande Musique, written by Stéphane Guérin, directed and adapted by Salomé Villiers. This 1-hour 35-minute performance, recommended for ages 13 and up, promises to transport the audience between past and present, from Paris to Mauthausen, in an intense and poignant family quest.
Esther meets Pierre just after fleeing from her third marriage at the end of the reception. A week later, during a TV interview where she is presenting her latest book on brothels in concentration camps, she collapses. Discovering that this phenomenon has already affected the women in her family before her, she decides, with Pierre’s help, to investigate this mystery.
At the heart of La Grande Musique, six characters — Marcel, Nelly, Georges, Esther, Pierre, and Hervé — find themselves in an emotional and temporal labyrinth, seeking to uncover the secret of their family drama through psycho-genealogy. Thus, the narrative takes the audience on a journey between France and Austria, tracing the historical and intimate events that connect these characters.
Between trauma and family heritage
The human body, bearer of an unconscious memory, is at the center of this play. La Grande Musique questions the repercussions of traumas experienced by our ancestors on their descendants. Unspoken truths, secrets, and buried pain are gradually revealed in a plot that navigates between sorrow and hope, between the search for truth and the reconstruction of identity.
Salomé Villiers’ sensitive and striking direction is supported by a talented cast, including Hélène Degy, Pierre Hélie, Brice Hillairet, Étienne Launay, Bernard Malaka, Florence Muller, or Raphaëline Goupilleau. The scenography by Georges Vauraz, original music by Raphaël Sanchez, and lighting by Denis Koransky create an enchanting and immersive atmosphere that will undoubtedly captivate the audience.
A Reflection on Intergenerational Transmission
La Grande Musique poses an essential question: how do the sufferings endured by our parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents influence our own existence? This reflection on intergenerational transmission resonates with many audience members, offering them a unique opportunity to dive into this fascinating and emotional exploration.
Don’t miss this performance of La Grande Musique, a theatrical journey where history and psychology intertwine to reveal the mysteries of family memories.
Date: October 11, 2024, at 7:30 PM
Address: TLF, 1201 Ortega St, San Francisco
Tickets: click here
Thank you, TLF!
