L’Ubu roi des Dramaticules
“New people will come along, youngsters, and finding us rather stale and old-hat, will compose ballads, to our undying horror. And there is no reason why this should come to an end.” Alfred Jarry
Ubu roi is about abuse: appetite, power, and cowardice… It is also about monsters… United in their malevolent ways, Father and Mother Ubu vociferate, stuff themselves, betray and exterminate anyone who gets in the way of their quest for wealth. Punctuated by exclamations of “merdre”, the French word for “shit”, with an extra “r”, the king of the absurd continues to be the symbol of all the evils in the world, and the archetype of despotic cruelty. Ubu is both is stupid and vulgar in the extreme.
Ubu roi is a work of chaos presided over by bullying, conspiracy, and war-mongering. In the context of the history of theatre, this piece represents mayhem of formidable proportions. It carries with it all the violence, sarcasm and insolence of youth. In Ubu roi des Dramaticules, the different scenes do not follow on from each other, they collide and contest each other, in an emphatic, ironic and deeply critical manner. In the eyes of Jérémie and his team, it seemed of paramount importance that the plot of the show should follow that of the piece itself, and that the destiny of the actors should follow that of the different characters. And lastly, that the show should lead to its own self-destruction over the course of its performance. It is also the story of a troupe wanting to put on Ubu roi, and tearing itself to pieces in the process.
Useful informations
First performed in 2014
Format Large-scale
On tour From 2014 to 2017
Running time 1h25
Show suitable for audiences Over the age of 10 years old
Schools shows From year 7
Creative Team
With
Julien Buchy in the roles of Queen Rosemonde, the nobles, Giron the palotin, Pile, Julien
Anthony Courret in the roles of Ludovic-Ludo, Wenceslas, and Czar Alexis
Jonathan Frajenberg in the roles of Captain Bordure, the bear, and Jonathan
Jérémie Le Louët in the roles of Papa Ubu, and Jérémie
David Maison in the roles of Boggerlas, a messenger, Cotice, and David
Dominique Massat in the roles of Mama Ubu, and Dominique
Adapted and directed by Jérémie Le Louët
Scenography Blandine Vieillot
Set design Guéwen Maigner
Video Thomas Chrétien, Simon Denis and Jérémie Le Louët
Lighting Thomas Chrétien
Sound Simon Denis
Artistic collaboration Noémie Guedj
Partners
A production by Les Dramaticules
Co-produced by Le Théâtre de Châtillon (92), le Théâtre de Corbeil-Essonnes (91), le Théâtre de la Madeleine/Scène conventionnée de Troyes (10)
With development aid from Conseil régional d’Île-de-France, Conseil général de l’Essonne and Adami
Reviews
“At the helm of the Dramaticules, Jérémie Le Louët gets straight to the point in his affirmation of freedom. And this fast-paced-one production works a treat.”
Jean-Pierre Léonardini – L’Humanité – December 2014
“This fragmented production rapidly wins us over… to the cause of the free-ranging, borderless form of theatre that it conjures up.”
Manuel Piolat-Soleymat – La Terrasse – November 2014
“Imbibed with the creativity of Dramaticules, the piece becomes a white-hot manifesto for protest. It prompts us, in an exhilarating way, to blast the conventions of the past to smithereens.”
Audrey Jean – Theatres.com – November 2014
“This Ubu truly is a helter-skelter ride experience. Beyond the audacity and acuity of the questions raised, Dramaticules once again draws upon its great strength, namely that of making theatre that is truly accessible to everyone.”
Aurore Chéry – Rue du Théâtre – November 2014
“Following on from Affreux, bêtes et pédants, Jérémie Le Louët goes one step further with the different forms, continuing the demolition process initiated by Jarry. This is hard-hitting theatre, which packs a punch against those seeking to mystify the truth. Beware you puffed-up pretenders, down with all impostors! Ubu is dead? Long live Ubu.”
Cédric Enjalbert – Les Trois Coups – December 2014
Former tours
You may also be interested in
Useful informations
First performed in 2014
Format Large-scale
On tour From 2014 to 2017
Running time 1h25
Show suitable for audiences Over the age of 10 years old
Schools shows From year 7