La Tendresse: an exploration of masculinity at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens

After Désobéir, which questioned the injunctions imposed on young women, Julie Berèscontinues her reflection on gender identities and norms with La Tendresse . Co-written with Kevin Keiss, Lisa Guez and in collaboration with Alice Zeniter, the show features male figures confronted with social expectations and the "factory of the masculine".

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Through a series of interwoven stories, La Tendresse sheds light on men who, in order to meet manly standards, have had to conform to implicit rules: strength, domination, mastery of emotions. But at what price? By exploring the paradoxes of masculinity, the play questions the transmission of these models and the possibility of a freer, more egalitarian redefinition.

This show is aimed at a wide audience, from young adults to those engaged in reflections on gender and society. With its immersive staging and documentary approach mixed with fiction, La Tendresse questions without judging, opening up an essential space for dialogue.

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With La Tendresse, Julie Berès pursues an approach in which the body, the spoken word and images combine to create a striking stage experience. The piece follows in the footsteps of her previous creations, combining testimonies and dramatic writing to reveal an often invisible reality.

La Tendresse offers a nuanced reflection on masculinity and its representations. By exploring the paths of self-reinvention, the show invites us to question established patterns. To be seen at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens from April 25 to July 20, 2025.

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This article is based on information available about the show and is not based on direct viewing of the performance.