Les Serge (Gainsbourg Point Barre) at the Studio de la Comédie-Française - our review

The elusive Serge Gainsbourg. It's been more than 30 years since the French singer left us, and even today, he remains an intriguing figure. Some adore him, some adore him, some hate him, some don't understand him. A polymorphous artist, he fused musical genres, from jazz and reggae to rock and French chanson, all the whileimposing a poetic, provocative style. The Studio de la Comédie-Française pays tribute to him once again today with Les Serge (Gainsbourg Point Barre).

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Stéphane Varupenne and Sébastien Pouderoux, both members of the Comédie-Française, are musicians both on stage and off, and have often used their talents on the French stage. Back in 2017, Sébastien Pouderoux embodied the music of Bob Dylan in a highly successful staging he co-wrote with Marie Rémond, based on Greil Marcus's book Comme une pierre qui.... In 2019, he teams up with drummer and bassist Stéphane Varupenne to compose Les Serge Gainsbourg (Point Barre) , a play based on the figure of Serge Gainsbourg, which is akin to a declaration of love. First performed at the Studio de la Comédie-Française, the play returns there in early 2025.

Serge Gainsbourg also influenced fashion and cinema, thanks to his rebellious, avant-garde spirit. His lyrics, often imbued with eroticism and subtle wordplay, redefined the boundaries of chanson. On stage, talented actors from the Comédie-Française (including Benjamin Lavernhe, currently starring in En Fanfare) bring the Gainsbourg years to life.

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Our review:

A musical and theatrical gem! Part play, part concert, Les Serge (Gainsbourg Point Barre) immerses you in the music of Gainsbourg, but also in his strong character.

The 6 excellent actors ( Stéphane Varupenne, Sébastien Pouderoux, Benjamin Lavernhe, Marie Oppert, Noam Morgensztern, Yoann Gasiorowski ) perform Gainsbourg in succession, in the form of interviews, accompanied by the presence of the sweet Jane Birkin (who saw and loved the show during her lifetime).

Carried away by the music for 1h30, we can't help but fidget in our seats and smile. The actors all play instruments, swapping them and singing, not forgetting to act, all the while smoking cigarette after cigarette à la Serge Gainsbourg. It's a feel-good show that reintroduces us to Gainsbourg's music live, which some love and others hate. Add to all this Marie Oppert's magnificent voice, and all you want to do when you leave the play is go back for more.