Richard Nelson Notre vie dans l’Art

Conversations entre acteurs du Théâtre d’Art de Moscou pendant leur tournée à Chicago, Illinois en 1923

This is the first time creation of a new work in France by the American playwright Richard Nelson. He excels in this nuanced and detailed restitution by performers from the Théâtre du Soleil troupe. It stages a festive evening in 1923 in Chicago in the company of Constantin Stanislavski and his troupe from the Moscow Art Theatre.

Taking advantage of a day off during a long tour of the United States, a troupe of Russian performers celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of its creation. We are in 1923, in a family boarding house in Chicago. The actors and actresses that we quickly get to know via their exchanges, at this important moment in time, belong to the Moscow Art Theatre, directed by Konstantin Stanislavsky. The ensuing songs, demonstrations of joy, jokes, hugs and enthusiastic toasts are tinged with anxiety. All of those present know how precarious their situation is, and there is a great deal of of uncertainty about the future, whether in the United States or Russia. In this play inspired by historical events, the American playwright Richard Nelson creates an impression of state of floatiness via discreet touches, combined with tact and sensitivity. Not only did the tour by the Moscow Art Theatre take place, but it also had a decisive influence on the world of theatre and film in the United States