Dates: Starting September 5 at 8:00 PM

Times: Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:00 PM // Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:00 PM // Sundays at 5:00 PM

Location: Théâtre Comédie Bastille

Cast: Written by Pierre-Olivier Scotto and Xavier Lemaire, starring Anne Richard, Emilie Chevrillon, Isabelle Andréani, Fanny Lucet, Dominique Thomas, Michel Laliberté, Directed by Xavier Lemaire

Rentrée 42 revisits a dark chapter of history with striking intensity. Set in 1942, the action takes place in a school in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, where four teachers gather to prepare for the start of the school year. But as they get ready to welcome their students, an unexpected event shakes their daily routine and their view of the teaching profession.

The backdrop is World War II, a time when the German Occupation forced everyone to make difficult choices. At the heart of this play, the audience discovers ordinary women, passionate about their work, but suddenly confronted with decisions that will change their lives. The classroom becomes an intellectual and moral battleground, where every word and gesture can be an act of resistance.

The four teachers, each with distinct personalities, are portrayed brilliantly. From the discipline of one, to the kindness of another, and the quiet rebellion of the youngest, the play paints a vivid portrait of feminine diversity in the face of adversity. Their exchanges are intense, sometimes tense, but always filled with touching humanity.

The event that disrupts this school year is an order from the German administration to exclude Jewish children from the classrooms. Faced with this blatant injustice, the four women must decide: obey or resist. Through their discussions, the audience witnesses the birth of both individual and collective resistance. Each, in her own way, must choose between staying in the shadows or standing up to the occupiers, taking immense risks.

The staging, simple yet powerful, heightens the tension. The confined space of the classroom becomes a claustrophobic setting where the air grows heavier with each scene, every silence laden with meaning. The glances exchanged between the teachers often speak louder than words, pulling the audience into an intense reflection on courage, fear, and the meaning of commitment.

Rentrée 42 is not just a historical drama, but also a contemporary reflection on individual responsibility in the face of injustice. It reminds us that behind every act of resistance, there are human choices—often heartbreaking, but essential. This poignant drama is a true lesson in humanity, carried by actresses delivering remarkably truthful performances.

I was deeply moved by Rentrée 42. The play plunges us into a pivotal moment in history with incredible intensity. The four teachers, portrayed to perfection, embody the moral dilemma with a sincerity that moved me profoundly. Every scene is filled with emotion, and the rising tension is palpable from beginning to end.

I especially appreciated how the play shows that ordinary actions can become powerful acts of resistance. It’s both an emotional and inspiring performance that lingers long after leaving the theater. A true tribute to courage!