In his room James Brown wearing curls the playwright continues his reference about identity with humor.
It’s the meeting at the vacation home of Jacob, a wannabe Celine Dion, and Philip, a white man who wants to be black. Yasmina Reza asks us the question of our identity, mixing humor and melancholy. Text that can be seen at the Thâtre de la Colline in Paris (1), in the work of the author.
Madame Figaro. – You write novels and plays theatreAre there topics that lend themselves better to dialogue than others?
Yasmina Reza: I am often asked this question, to which I always answer differently, because deep down I do not know how to explain what seems obvious to me. It’s not about dialogue, of course, because theater is more about unspoken words than words. The works simply have the form they should have.
And how did you come up with the idea? James Brown wore curls and this title?
The title is a phrase from the play, said by one of the characters. The idea came to me to extend a chapter from the previous book, Happy are the happy. I had regretfully abandoned these characters, Jacob and his parents, and I was trying to bring them back to life.
Do you feel closer to one of the characters? ? If so, why?
I feel close to all the characters. With this story, I entered the plural logic and identified with each of them. Questions of identity today have taken on a social and political dimension, I do not attempt to enter this area. But there is a common theme here. Who we are What defines us? Theater is an ideal place to observe and unite different universes.
Theater is made of unspoken words more than words
Yasmina Reza
“I’ve always been sensitive to stories”
The character of the psychologist sometimes seems to be overwhelmed by events. Not giving clear answers to the situation is a reflection of psychiatry in France.
You find: I don’t think it’s outdated. He’s a strange character, he’s stuck in his own logic, which is not what the Hutts’ parents expect. Moreover, she is not only a psychologist, but also a woman who has her own fantasy and her moments of abandonment. In no way did I want to deal with the psychiatric issue in a public way.
There’s a lot of soliloquy to Grimm’s fairy tales with this strong idea that in order to succeed you have to stay within the norm, even if it means mutilating yourself. What is your view?
An outdated idea because Cinderella’s sisters don’t make it.
How powerful is history these days?
I cannot answer at all. As for me, I have always been sensitive to the fairy tales that underlie literature. We might as well consider James Brown wore curls like a fairy tale.
Travel companions
The characters are lovable and often funny. Does comedy get the message across easier?
I have always written mixing genres. An English director described my works as funny tragedies, and I agree with this definition. In real life there is no difference between comedy and tragedy. Events, like feelings, have an ambiguous dimension. Everything depends on the appearance, the distance. It’s not about sending a message, I never intended it to be, but about illuminating situations from multiple angles.
You are also directing your own play. How are things going between the writer and the director?
It’s going very well! I completely forget that I wrote the play. I hear it completely new when it comes from the actors’ voices. They are the ones who inspire me, and the work we do together is really driven by their bodies, by what they bring alive and new.
I write, giving as much chance to theatricality as possible, that is, as much airtime as possible.
Yasmina Reza
How do you choose the actors?
There are actors who I appreciate, but who are not made for my writing. It’s not easy to explain, but it’s one thing I know. It’s about the ability to pace and subtext. This is also true in all languages. the actors of James Brown wearing curls Josianne Stoleru, Christel Tual, Andre Marcon, Micha Lescot are traveling companions. They are creative and amazing. I can tell them anything without warning because they know how much I trust them. On the other hand, it’s my first time working with Alexander Steiger, and I’m excited about it. There is also a musician on the stage whose presence is essential: Joachim Latarjet.
Social dimension
You are very instructive.
Instruction, yes, maybe. Well, I’m not sure that’s the right word. I am accurate. You have to ask the actors, I don’t know how they feel about things.
In the creation of a show, the choice of artistic collaborators is as important as the actors
Yasmina Reza
When writing, do you already have the scene before your eyes, the decor, the music?
No, not at all. I also have the opportunity to perform abroad, so I know that the texts will be part of very diverse ensembles. I write, giving as much chance to theatricality as possible, that is, as much airtime as possible. In the creation of a show, the choice of artistic partners is as important as the actors. We are not doing a solo show.
You are also an actress. Would you like to return to the stage?
I do it from time to time. But this acting class helps me with writing and directing.
What is the place of music in your life?
I love all kinds of music. From classical to flamenco, variety, rock.
Do you prefer a novelist or a playwright?
There is no preference when it comes to writing. Purely literary writing is more lonely. Theater brings more movement through its social dimension. Ultimately, it’s a matter of mood and state of mind.
And as a viewer, what are the shows that have marked your life?
Goodbye trilogy, Boto Strauss, directed by Claude Reggi, Caucasian chalk periodBertolt Brecht, directed by Benno Besson, Cinderelladirected by Joel Pommerat… There are many more, we need a whole page.
(1) The book. James Brown wore curlsBy Yasmina Reza, Éditions Flammarion, 112 p., €14.
The room. James Brown wore curls, directed by Yasmina Reza, from September 19 to October 15, at the Theater de la Colline in Paris. colline.fr:
Source: Le Figaro
