Bilbao Natives Born Anywhere: Bérénice Bejo Stars in Hilarious, Poignant One-Woman Show!

César Award-winning actress Bérénice Bejo is currently dazzling audiences in “The People of Bilbao are Born Where They Please,” now playing at the Marigny Theater!

Emilie Brouchon

A Delicate and Intimate Production

Maria, the protagonist of the play, is the daughter of Spanish emigrants who escaped Franco’s regime to chase their dream of freedom in France. In Paris, her mother, who has the looks of a film star, works as a cleaner, while her father, who is never seen without a glass of red wine, is the caretaker of the Michodière Theater. They all live together in a tiny attic room at the theater, which was known for its boulevard plays at the time.

Maria’s unique journey and whimsical personality within her dysfunctional family could have been enough to make her an artist. However, there’s more to her story: as a film school student, she attempts to explore her origins through her short films, but without success. That is, until a fortune teller reveals a secret about her birth…

Adapted from Marie Larrea’s deeply personal and intimate novel, “The People of Bilbao are Born Where They Please” is brilliantly directed by Johanna Boyé (I Don’t Run, I Fly!). The set features a simple curtain of threads onto which images are projected to enhance the actress’s monologues, while guitar tunes set the rhythm of the scenes and add to the play’s sensitive mood. This musical element is sure to move the audience deeply.

Coming from an immigrant family where poverty and alcohol clash violently with daily life, the young woman humorously navigates her quest for truth and identity amidst family dysfunction. The combination of lighting effects and traditional Spanish music perfectly complements Maria’s tragicomic story.

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Take advantage of an exclusive launch offer by clicking here to enjoy a €10 discount on all categories for the first performances of the show, valid through October 31 at the Marigny Theater.

A Masterfully Performed Play

Audiences will be thrilled to see Bérénice Bejo, who won the César Award for Best Actress for her role in The Artist, take the stage in this emotionally rich and comedic solo performance. She plays all the characters, seamlessly switching between Spanish and French with impressive fluidity.

In this deeply personal play, Bejo portrays a woman’s portrait with accuracy and vigor. It’s also worth noting the significant resonance between Maria’s experiences and Bejo’s own life as a Franco-Argentine actress who moved to France at the age of three after her parents fled a military dictatorship.

Current and poignant, the issues addressed by director Johanna Boyé’s sharp staging, such as stigma and self-discovery, are depicted with both poetry and a healthy dose of humor.

While the protagonist’s experience is unique, the universal themes explored will undoubtedly resonate with every viewer.

“The People of Bilbao are Born Where They Please” can be seen until December 22 at the Marigny Theater, from Tuesday to Saturday at 7 pm and Sundays at 6 pm.

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