Made in France at the Théâtre de la Renaissance: a comedy about the world of work – extended performances

The Théâtre de la Renaissance has been hosting Made in France since September 29, 2025. This social comedy, penned by Samuel Valensi and Paul-Éloi Forget, founders of the troupe La Poursuite du bleu, features a lively, collaborative staging. The play humorously and ironically explores the contradictions of the working world through the absurd story of a former inmate hired at a factory facing relocation. Blending elements of political theater with situational comedy, this ensemble piece depicts the unlikely struggle of a group of workers determined to ‘save’ the French industry... in their own way.

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Émile is released from prison with a reduced sentence: his days will be spent at the factory, his nights at the detention center. As soon as he arrives, he learns that the factory is going to close. The only way to keep his parole? Remain indispensable. Émile discovers an unexpected vocation: becoming a trade unionist. Despite himself, he finds himself embroiled in a resistance movement as crazy as it is improvised, alongside colleagues who are disillusioned, supportive or completely overwhelmed. From meetings to wobbly slogans, from ill-prepared strikes to collective illusions, Made in France paints a tender, sarcastic portrait of a mobilization that is at once absurd, vital and terribly human.

This comedy is aimed at adults and teenagers interested in social issues, committed theater and contemporary collective forms. The deliberately burlesque, sometimes absurd, tone allows serious issues - justice, work, solidarity, the economy - to be tackled with comic detachment. Audiences fond of realistic narratives or classical dramaturgies may be disconcerted by the show's hybrid form, which plays on distancing and discrepancy.

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With Made in France, the Théâtre de la Renaissance presents a sharp, collective, and socially conscious comedy that playfully upends traditional conventions to shed light on the realities—and absurdities—of the modern workplace. A contemporary social satire, it’s been captivating audiences since September 29, 2025, featuring a talented and dedicated ensemble cast.

This article is based on information available prior to the show's premiere. It was written without prior viewing of the show.

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