A small group of men closed in on themselves in an isolated asylum and accompanied by a woman - excluded as if by the nature of the human world - turn with desperation towards the sky of their unfathomable Balkan region. The sky - a paradise that for them is symbolised by Western Europe - can make miracles happen: a parcel falls into their hands from the sky, but it's not meant for them. The Bird-Colonel written by Bulgarian author Hristo Boytchev, harkens back to the fabulous metaphor that mirrors the grave circumstances of today. It's the final confrontation of a small community that has rebuilt itself amid an arbitrary sense of dignity, with Strasbourg, the heart of political Europe, the last stop on their journey. Does the fable tell whether this improvised delegation - with its humour and anxiety - will be heard ? Perhaps they are still waiting ? For Didier Bezace theatre is the art of questioning. This is why he remains faithful to his task of revealing contemporary authors, paying attention at the same time to drama about individuals and also about groups of people. Didier Bezace makes a deliberate choice in volleying into the audience an act of esthetic resistance of political and poetic theatre.
Distribution
translation Iana-Maria Dontcheva
stage direction Didier Bezace
Artistic collaboration : Laurent Caillon
Assistant director : Olivia Burton
Cast : Jean-Claude Bolle-Reddat (Hatcho), Jacques Bonnaffé (The doctor), Patrice Bornand (Davud), Daniel Delabesse (Cyril), Thierry Gibault (Mateï), André Marcon (Fetissov, the Russian), Marina Pastor (Pepa)
Decor : Philippe Marioge
Lighting : Marie Nicolas
Costumes : Cidalia da Costa
Production
Production : Théâtre de la Commune-Centre dramatique national d'Aubervilliers, La Criée-Théâtre national de Marseille, Les Gémeaux-Sceaux-Scène nationale, Maison de la Culture de Bourges-Scène nationale, Théâtre du Muselet-Scène nationale de Chalons-en-Champagne. Avec le soutien du Théâtre national de Strasbourg et du Théâtre de Cavaillon-Scène nationale.
Avec l'aide de : l'A.F.A.A., du conseil général de la Seine-Saint-Denis et de la ville d'Aubervilliers pour les rencontres organisées au Festival d'Avignon et à Aubervilliers
Remerciements à : Daniel Sendron, à Eric Garreau et Denis Ralite (réalisation video) et à Iana Maria Dontcheva (la speakerine)
Le Colonel-oiseau est édité par Actes Sud-Papiers