Clownstrum

A catastrophe has occurred. Unless it is still ongoing…

The sole survivors of what might be called the end of the world, three bewildered figures emerge from the chaos. Their bodies are fragile and trembling, covered in a fine dust that whitens them from head to toe. Only three splashes of colour punctuate these spectral silhouettes: the red noses they each wear in the middle of their faces, like the three bloody ellipsis points at the end of the world’s last sentence, interrupted by the unspeakable.

From there, what will happen? What kind of society will these new pioneers try to recreate? What plots will they hatch to seize power, rebuild a new world, or perhaps end it all for good…?

A singular, acidic and burlesque object designed for the open air or unusual venues… Inspired by the classics of the genre but also by the contemporary tragedies that shape our era and define our relationship with the world, this resolutely comic little show features the last survivors of a race at the end of its tether. The Catastrophe, in a Beckettian echo, acts here as a formidable narrative catalyst, allowing us to observe our society through a distorting prism that gives rise to laughter and incongruity.

Created on 29 September 2018 at La Filature, Scène Nationale de Mulhouse

Time: approximately 50 minutes

For ages 8 and up

Performance/Collective creation by and with Louis Arene, Sophie Botte and Delphine Cottu

Directed by Louis Arene and Lionel Lingelser

Collaboration on writing François de Brauer

Nose, costume, make-up and set design Louis Arene

Stage management Valentin Paul / Victor Arancio

Administration and production by Clémence Huckel – Les Indépendances

Distribution by Florence Bourgeon – Les Indépendances

Press by Murielle Richard

Production by Munstrum Théâtre

Co-productions by La Filature, Scène Nationale de Mulhouse, Festival Scènes de Rue – Mulhouse

Supported by La Générale – Paris, L’École du Jeu – Paris

Munstrum Théâtre is associated with La Filature, Scène nationale de Mulhouse, as well as with projects by Théâtre Public de Montreuil, Centre dramatique national, TJP CDN Strasbourg-Grand Est and Les Célestins, Théâtre de Lyon.

The company is subsidised by DRAC Grand Est – Ministère de la Culture & la Région Grand Est. It is supported by the City of Mulhouse.