Vincent Macaigne / Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne
| Text, direction and set design: | Vincent Macaigne |
| Collaboration in set design: | Julien Peissel |
| Lighting: | Jean Huleu |
| Accessories: | Lucie Basclet |
| Sound: | Jonathan Cesaroni |
| Manager: | Sébastien Mathé |
| Decoration: | Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne |
| Assistant director: | Salou Sadras |
| Starring: | Thibaut Evrard, Liza Lapert, Clara Lama-Schmit and Sofia Teillet (plus extras and children) |
| Production: | Théâtre de Vidy and Compagnie Friche 22.66 |
| CoProduction: | Théâtre de la Ville – Paris, La Villette – Paris, T and em Scène nationale y Holl and Festival |
| On tour with the support of: | Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council and the Institut Français |
| La Compagnie Friche 22.66 is supported by: | DGCA French Ministry of Culture and Communication as "national company" |
| With the collaboration of: | Jeune théâtre national |
| The presentation of the play in Spain is supported by the Institut Français d’Espagne | |
“Macaigne traces the course of the search for beauty through a common language that surrenders its potent voice not only to our doubts, anger, fears and melancholy but also to all our hopes and joys”.Carnet d’art
There was once a society where the people occupying the highest strata accumulated money, power and culture. Far from the disorder and violence, they seized power from the governments, who were incapable of managing social order "up there". In the absence of any collective project, hierarchy and individualism ruled them: better to stay clear and safe that to put at risk the most precious treasures of humanity, such as love and culture. Money, power and culture have been converted into a unique force, a single space, the glorious image of success and exaltation.
But the world "up there", a euphoric and self-satisfied place, is coming to an end. European culture has been entirely privatised and placed under lock and key. The only viable alternative for those "up there" who want to preserve something vital, something alive, is self-destruction. Destroy the family, destroy desire, confront rage and surrender oneself to those who live "down there". Because when happiness doesn't exist, only destruction is capable of giving life.
Vincent Macaigne sets En manque in a private foundation that keeps all European art, in its entirety, in a safe. But the author, actor and director is not criticising a society that has collapsed under the weight of its own certainties, and in which a handful of people drive the misery of others, but is using theatre to go beyond our truths and our obsessions. Macaigne aspires to a renewed desire to avoid total collapse and escape the anguish of solitude. En manque is a singular theatrical, choreographic and visual study in which Macaigne exhibits a series of characters in the process of the search for pure and radical love. The piece explores the most intimate fantasies of an imprisoned woman who is grappling with depression. It’s a show that dramatizes the cruel struggle against the world, a fight for vitality and for desire.