And if we made the most of the cold days by treating ourselves to a theater night in the most beautiful red seats of the capital? Aim for the winning trio of the best shows of the moment: François Cluzet in the role of a psychiatric patient, Laure Calamy playing a woman wearing a man’s skin to infiltrate local taverns, or the story of the one who wasn't chosen to play Harry Potter in the movies. Let's book it urgently!
The trippiest
For whom? Fans of Intouchables who want to see François Cluzet again.
The pitch. Robert, a therapist and essayist (who loves talking about his novel), can no longer stand seeing his patients stagnate without getting better. He abandons traditional methods of reflection and introspection and goes all in. Interned in a psychiatric hospital in a drab, cold, undecorated room, he shares with a fellow doctor and nurse his ambitions to change the world, revolutionize patient care, become rich and famous, and finally marry Wendy. But is Robert really interned by choice for his experiment? What happened to his brother who recently disappeared at sea, leaving behind a grieving brother and a widow?
Why we loved it? Encore une journée divine marks François Cluzet’s return to the stage after 25 years away. It's a captivating solo performance with a completely disorienting plot: what to believe when the narrator proves unreliable? François Cluzet's role commands our full attention, as the doctor and nurse never actually appear on stage: he shares his thoughts directly with the audience. Initially standing, agitated, and booming, Robert's character gradually collapses, ending the play prostrate and groaning, pulling the audience entirely into his descent into madness. 1 hour and 30 minutes that fly by, and we already want to see it again!
Encore une journée divine at Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens, 4 rue Monsigny, Paris 2nd. Until April 18, 2025
The most exuberant
For whom? Fans of the humor, glitter, and politics of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The pitch. Venice, 16th century. Bianca is set to marry Giovanni, a man she knows nothing about. Devastated, she consults her godmother, a single woman and somewhat eccentric inventor. Her godmother reveals a secret: she possesses a skin of man, which transforms anyone who wears it into a boy. Bianca dons it, becomes Lorenzo, and ventures into the world of men to meet and better know her fiancé. But it's a revelation: men live far better lives than women. Why can they swim in the river, drink in taverns, and be forgiven for adultery, while women spend their days silently perched on a stool waiting for a husband or a baby? Bianca's adventure takes an unexpected turn: her future husband is gay and particularly appreciates Lorenzo but not really Bianca.
Why we loved it? We already adored Laure Calamy in Call My Agent!, A Devoted Friend, and My Donkey, My Lover & I. Portraying both a fiercely feminist Bianca and a Lorenzo unfamiliar with testosterone-fueled displays, she makes us laugh out loud. The highlight of the show: Giovanni’s friends arriving on stage for the Venice Carnival... in drag. Peau d'Homme is a feminist spectacle: after all, the best way to denounce male privilege is by infiltrating their world. Bonus: this play leans toward a musical, with songs composed by none other than Ben Mazué! It's commedia dell'arte, 2025 style!
Peau d’Homme at Théâtre Montparnasse, 31 rue de la Gaîté, Paris 14th. Until May 31, 2025.
The most nostalgic
For whom? Fans of Harry Potter and the best-selling author David Foenkinos.
The pitch. 1999, auditions for the role of Harry Potter in the movies are open. Martin Hill, the child of divorced parents living between London and Paris, becomes the casting favorite. Motivated by his beloved father, he reaches the final two, but you all know Daniel Radcliffe… because Martin Hill was not chosen. Shortly after this failure, his life becomes a nightmare. His father dies within a few months from illness, his distant mother takes him back and partners with a man who secretly mistreats him. Martin grows up with each new installment of the saga reminding him of the life he could have had. Depressed and isolated, he lands a job as a security guard at the Louvre and meets Sophie. How will Martin overcome the malaise caused by the casting failure ten years earlier?
Why we loved it? Who among us has never planned a Harry Potter marathon? Numéro Deux is a true return to childhood, featuring a scrawny boy with round glasses, the familiar melody of the theme music, Gryffindor scarves, and magical smoke and light effects. But far from being a retelling of the wizard's tale, this play, based on David Foenkinos' book, narrates the fictional story of the last contender for the role of Harry in the movies. This look behind the scenes of the world-famous saga already delights Potterheads of all ages!
Numéro Deux at Théâtre Tristan Bernard, 64 rue du Rocher, Paris 8th.
Also discover the one-(wo)man-shows that will make you howl with laughter and the free exhibitions at Parisian galleries.
