In 1930, the Austrian Robert Musil composed a rich fresco, Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften, (Man without Qualities), a literary laboratory where
the figure which takes shape seems not to belong to this world. Ulrich, the central character, cultivates contradictions and establishes the
principle of uncertainty as a line of conduct. He is the “impractical” individual, lacking a “sense of reality”.After Kaspar Konzert and Bartleby, François Verret, from the world of theatre and dance, presents today his perception of Ulrich in an architectural arrangement peopled with machines, images and objects. Chantier Musil is a sensitive and lively experience that turns the contradictory dimension of Ulrich into movements, Ulrich, the man without qualities, a permanent exploration of the space where we place doubt, and the field where all possibilities grow. The director explains that “We are searching for the tools which can translate Musil's vision of the world at the spot where it crosses over intimately with our own. Mental landscapes reside within us, from there spring gestures, sounds, lights, pictures, words... I try to welcome or bring to life a gesture which commits each artist from the starting point of their own subjectivity. I then articulate the expressions which are born out of each of them. The writing of this performance is not based on a pre-determined vision”. The stage becomes a place of invention of a language related to the encounter between single artists with a background in dance, circus, theatre, music, drawing, architecture, lighting and each one in their own way, explores this “principle of uncertainty”.
Distribution
stage direction François Verret
cast: Mathurin Bolze, Dimitri Jourde, Irma Omerzo, Jean-Pierre Drouet, François Verret et Vincent Fortemps, Christian Dubet, Alain Mahé, Gaëtan Besnard
scenography:Claudine Brahem
masks :Zouzou Leyens
music :Jean-Pierre Drouet, Fred Frith
sound :Alain Mahé
sculptures: Vincent Fortemps
video :Gaëtan Besnard
lighting :Christian Dubet
Production
Coproduction :Théâtre national de Bretagne-Rennes, Compagnie F.V., Théâtre de la Ville-Paris, Festival d'Avignon, Le Cargo-Maison de la Culture de Grenoble, Théâtre des Salins-Scène nationale de Martigues
Avec le soutien :du Conseil régional d'Ile-de-France, du Parc de la Villette, du ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, de la Fonderie-Théâtre du Radeau Le Mans