Now, we know the name of the one entrusted with the heavy task of organizing and making shine the four opening and closing ceremonies of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics 2024. Current director of the National Drama Center of Angers, French stager and comedian Thomas Jolly was named art director of the famous ceremonies opening and closing Paris Games 2024.
At 40 years old, Thomas Jolly hopes to “offer the world unique images in 2024”. “By opening the Games to as many people as possible, Paris 2024 displays values which I fully recognize. The theatre I advocate is also resolutely open because I am convinced that in our time, we need to look together at common ideals. As such, the ceremonies will be a great opportunity to share a collective narrative, to affirm the possibility of a ‘we’ in front of nations around the word”, he said in a release following his nomination.
Delighted to announce Thomas Jolly as artistic director of the 4 ceremonies of #Paris2024 Games.
— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) September 21, 2022
Creative and daring, Thomas 🇫🇷 is committed to offer an artistic approach that appeals to all audiences
In 2024, he'll do his best to inspire you ✨ pic.twitter.com/p2P1lbDQD3
If you have never heard his name before, yet Thomas Jolly is not new. Born in Rouen, in 2006 he starts his career as a stage director creating his own company, La Piccola Familia.
As a proof of his fame, in 2015, Thomas Jolly is rewarded with the Jean-Jacques Gautier Award. The same year, he is granted the Molière for stage directing of a public play for “Henry VI”. His style – inspired by play, rock opera and series – delights the audience.
Thomas Jolly also faces quite a few challenges, for instance, when directing a continuous 18-hour show inspired by William Shakespeare’s “Henry VI” at the Festival d’Avignon. This summer, he did it again by creating a 24-hour play with the complete “Henry VI” and “Richard III”.
Prolific, Thomas Jolly is to unveil this Fall a new version of legendary musical “Starmania”, before directing “Romeo and Juliet” in 2023, at the Paris Opéra Bastille. In 2024, then, he will direct the opening and closing ceremonies of Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“With his impressive career, Thomas Jolly is at the forefront of the young, creative and ambitious French artistic scene. His extraordinary shows are proof that he knows how to break norms and take them to the next level”, Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet stated.
For the record, Paris Olympics will be kicked off on July 26, 2024, from the Seine, whilst the Paralympics will have thePlace de la Concorde as the background.
