Que ma joie demeure

After the series The Three Musketeers, performed throughout France outside of theatrical venues, Clara Hédouin returns with a new open-air epic with Jean Giono’s Joy of Man’s Desiring. On a plateau in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, a mysterious “leprosy,” or rather a sadness, takes over the daily lives of men and women working the land. But one night, on the edge of the forest, appears “Bobi.” This stranger will encourage them to look differently at themselves, at the land they cultivate, and at the forest that surrounds them. Thanks to him, birds will return to the skies, and wild ungulates to the forest that borders the fields. “Maybe you’ve farmed the earth from one end to the other just a little too much?” Bobi says to the people of the plateau. Maybe... and their whole world changes. Depression slowly gives way to joy, which soon overwhelms all, with a sensuality and desire that consume the characters... until death. 

A show which weaves its actors into the landscape, on a sensitive journey through a living environment, alternating between performance and hiking.

Que ma joie demeure by Jean Giono is published by Grasset.

Interview with Clara Hédouin

Listen to the podcast Que ma joie demeure // Manger le soleil by Clara Hédouin and Romain de Becdelièvre

With Jade Fortineau, Pierre Giafferi, Clara Hédouin, Hector Manuel, Clara Mayer, Hatice Ozer, Mickael Pinelli
Text Jean Giono
Adaptation Romain de Becdelièvre, Clara Hédouin
Director Clara Hédouin
Costumes Nelly Geyres, Anna Rinzo
General Management André Neri, Franck Gélie
Production Audrey Gendre, Alice Ramond

Production Manger le soleil, Collectif 49701
Coproduction Festival Paris l'été, Le Sillon Scène conventionnée (Clermont-l'Hérault), TNP Villeurbanne, Communauté de communes du Haut-Lignon, Festival Les Tombées de la Nuit (Rennes), Le Channel Scène nationale de Calais, L'Estive Scène nationale de Foix et d'Ariège Pronomade(s) en Haute-Garonne Centre national des arts de la rue et de l'espace public, Théâtre de Villefranche-sur-Saône, L'Usine, Centre national des arts de la rue et de l'espace public Tournefeuille Toulouse Métropole
With the support of the Drac Auvergne Rhône-Alpes
With the support of the city of Barbentane
In partnership with France Bleu Vaucluse
With the help of the Aria (Corsica)