La Ballade de Souchon is a musical show crafted and directed by Françoise Gillard. It draws inspiration from the extensive works of Alain Souchon, featuring his lyrics—many from his songs and interviews. The show premiered on January 26, 2023, at the Studio-Théâtre of the Comédie-Française, with plans to tour beyond the walls of the theater at Théâtre Montparnasse starting in March 2026.
This project continues the tradition of musical shows at the Comédie-Française. It offers an immersive journey into the world of Alain Souchon, the singer-songwriter whose career spans multiple generations. The artistic proposal highlights a singer-songwriter known for his relaxed, wandering style, blending melancholy, humor, and keen observations of everyday life.
On stage, six actresses take on the singing roles, delivering the songs with vitality. They are supported by two musicians and a female performer, providing live accompaniment. The production’s intergenerational cast shapes the overall storytelling. The songs are thoughtfully assigned based on the performers’ backgrounds and ages, without any direct portrayal of the original singers.
The set design, created in collaboration with Éric Ruf, evokes a cozy, living-room ambiance. Musical instruments are seamlessly integrated into the space, emphasizing its intimate feel. Yannick Deborne oversees the arrangements and musical direction, focusing closely on vocal performance and the smooth flow of the dialogue and lyrics.
La Ballade de Souchon delves into recurring themes of his repertoire: childhood, our relationship with time, modern society, and melancholy. The show takes a heartfelt approach to the songs, avoiding a traditional stage concert format, and is part of the Théâtre Montparnasse season as a fresh offering of live music performed by artists from the Parisian scene.
The show will be gripping audiences at the Théâtre Montparnasse starting March 19, 2026, with a series of special performances.
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Dates and Opening Time
From March 19, 2026 to April 5, 2026
Location
Théâtre Montparnasse & Petit Montparnasse
31 Rue de la Gaité
75014 Paris 14
Official website
www.theatremontparnasse.com
