Dates: From September 5 to October 27, 2024

Times: Thursdays at 8:45 PM and Sundays at 6 PM

Location: Le Guichet Montparnasse

Cast: Written by Ana-Maria BAMBERGER, with Catherine MAHIEU, Sébastien BOURBON, Aymeric NAUDÉ. Directed by Catherine MAHIEU

In a setting that is both intriguing and full of humor, the play Belvédère immerses us in a puzzling closed-door scenario where reality, imagination, and madness intertwine. Written and directed with finesse, this theatrical creation highlights the complexity of the human mind and the blurry line between the real and the imagined.

The central character, Antonia, is a prolific writer confined in the Belvédère psychiatric clinic. Her eccentricity and creative genius clash with the institution’s rigid protocols. Under the care of a young psychiatrist, visibly overwhelmed by his flamboyant patient, Antonia navigates through her memories, literary creations, and distorted perceptions.

The young doctor, representing both rationality and the limits of medicine, attempts to understand the fragile Antonia. However, his own certainties begin to falter in the face of this elusive patient. Is she truly mad, or does her mind simply operate on a different rhythm, on another frequency?

The sudden appearance of an old love from Antonia’s past pushes the play into a new dimension. This character, seemingly plucked from her history, adds further confusion. Is he real, or merely a product of Antonia’s wild imagination? Regardless, his presence acts as a catalyst, a mirror reflecting the uncertainties of the other characters.

Belvédère oscillates between comedy, psychological drama, and satire. Through biting dialogues and amusing situations, the audience is drawn into a world where the absurd meets emotion. The play never offers a clear answer, leaving interpretation open to the viewers. Is everything happening in the clinic a result of Antonia’s madness, or are we all prisoners of our own perceptions of reality?

What makes Belvédère particularly captivating is its ability to challenge our own relationship with reality. The audience, too, finds themselves lost in this labyrinth of alternative truths. The play subtly questions: what is normality? Is madness always a deviation, or can it sometimes be a different form of insight?

With Belvédère, the audience is invited to make a choice: trust appearances or dive into the depths of the human mind, where madness and imagination know no boundaries. It is a mysterious and moving work that leaves a lasting impression long after the curtain falls—a theatrical moment where humor and reflection come together to offer a unique experience.