Actor and playwright praised by King Louis XIV, forgotten artist rediscovered in the 19th c., Molière is a major author of the French litterature. Pézenas welcomed him between 1650 and 1657, his memory is still alive; a Scenovision in 3 D tells his story.
Discover -Moliere's Héritage
Molière and Pézenas, a tale of love and remembrance
In 1647, at hardly 25, young Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, or Molière, began travelling the Languedoc with his Illustre Théâtre troupe, feasting or fasting as opportunity allowed.
Molière went on to become troupe manager and gave up acting tragedy.1650 was a turning point in their lives; the Languedoc General Estates were held in Pézenas and the Illustre Théâtre was summoned to entertain them, ensuring it a good income for many months. The Estates called on them twice more, in 1653 and 1655.Molière began writing his first plays in Lyon and Béziers: "Le médecin volant" "L'Etourdi" and "La Jalousie du Barbouillé" are not his masterpieces, rather his first experiences as a playwright. In 1653, an important event for the Languedoc was that Armand de Bourbon, Prince of Conti, settled at the Grange des Prés in Pézenas.
This licentious prince held sumptuous court. He asked his secretary to find players to entertain him. With a fancy for the so-called Marquise, Thérèse Gorla du Parc, the secretary invited Molière to come and perform in Pézenas. The prince's favour and bounty ensured a degree of affluence.But "the great do lack in constancy" and the prince was overcome by mysticism. The libertine adopted piety under the guidance of his confessor, the priest Rouquette. In 1658, the troupe went to Paris to seek its fortune and found favour with Louis XIV.The Languedoc and Pézenas inspired Molière for some famous plays: Dom Juan, ou le Festin de Pierre is based on the Prince of Conti; Tartuffe had the features of Rouquette; the Comtesse d'Escarbagnas, those of provincial aristocracy. Molière was forgotten after his death, but Pézenas rekindled his memory in the 19th c. and has set up a memorial where the Comédie Française pays homage.
The memory kept alive by Pézenas is evident in the town's cultural actions. The Centre de Ressources Molière was set up in 1994 in partnership with the national education authority. Pézenas has an A3 drama section and a stage costume school and Béziers a professional drama licence. An Arts and Crafts Centre opened in 1994 to enhance heritage renovation trades and stage professions.
In 2000, to mark the 350th anniversary of Molière's stay in Pézenas, were held a historical reconstruction called "In the eyes of Molière" and an international symposium, the "Molière Biennial".
At the same time, the town asked an expert on Molière, Prof. Gabriel Conesa of Rheims University, to create a Molière website. Its address is www.toutmoliere.net and it is regularly updated.The listed 1804 Italian-style theatre is also being restored. Molière never performed there, but it is still a memorable place. It will reopen after many years of work on it. The history shared by Molière and Pézenas has given rise to another project: the Molière memorial site, the only one apart from the Comédie Française to celebrate Molière and his work. None of his personal property remaining, the idea of dramatising his life in an interactive way has taken root and the facility opened in June 2008.
Scenovion Molière: let's get transported in the swirl of Molière's life!
Soon available in English with headphones!
The town that revealed Molière has created an innovative tourist and cultural complex, equipped
with the latest technologies of the sound and with 3 D images, to evoke the life and works of the famous author. Thanks to a quality scenario and a stage setting, in original decors and moving atmospheres, the spectators-actors will be taken in «the incredible and ineffable history of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin called Molière»..jpg)
In a XVIIth century atmosphere, in the heart of the magnificent Hotel de Peyrat, decors, images
and sounds will transport you in Pézenas small streets or in the backstage of theatres, during
fairs or during the last performance of Molière, but will also enable you to meet characters such
as Madeleine Béjart or King Louis XIV. The cultural content is accessible to all: young and adults, lovers of theatre, both amateurs and professionals, teachers and specialists … A principle of spectacular and innovative show….jpg)
Scénovision ® is a concept developed and commercialized exclusively by «La prod est dans le pré» company. It is a multi-sensorial show. Scénovision ® offers a moving memory of the life of a character through a narration staged in a dynamic and poetic way. Five rooms punctuate this exceptional show, where feelings, new developments, actions, and even dramatic turns of events mix up. Young and adults will take a journey in the XVIIth century!.jpg)
Practical information:
Hours: departures every quarter of hour, maximum 19 persons per show.
From September to June: daily, from 9 am to 12 noon (last departure at 10.45 am) and 2 to 6 pm (last departure at 4.45 pm); Sunday open from 10 am to 12 noon (last departure at 10.45 am ) and 2 to 6 pm (last departure at 4.45 pm).
July and August: open daily from 9 am to 7 pm (last departure at 5.45 pm), later opening on Wednesdays and Fridays until 8 pm (last departure at 6.45 pm); on Sunday, open from 10 am to 7 pm (last departure at 5.45 pm)..jpg)
Prices: Adults: € 7
Reduced fare (groups, children,…) : € 6
Pupils: € 4
Réservation au 04 67 98 35 39
www.scenovisionmoliere.com
scenovisionmoliere@otpvh.fr
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Parcours-spectacle en 5 salles, qui vous immergera dans l'ambiance du XVIIe siècle à la découverte du tourbillon de la vie de Molière
