In the fall of 2025,La Folie Théâtre will present Le Horla, a stage adaptation of Guy de Maupassant's short story by Frédéric Gray. Published at the end of the 19th century, this emblematic text of fantasy literature questions the boundary between reason and perception. The author explores the manifestations of an invisible presence that disrupts a man's daily life, leading to a slow psychological decline. The company offers a reinterpretation focused on the protagonist's inner progression, in a 90-minute format designed to highlight the intensity of the story.
The staging by Frédéric Gray, assisted by Olivier Troyon, is based on a minimalist set design that leaves room for acting and perceptual confusion. The stage design favors visual sobriety, reinforcing the themes of hallucination, hypnosis, and daydreaming described in Maupassant's work. The adaptation seeks to recreate the introspective dimension of the text by constructing a space where the supposed presence of the Horla becomes a central dramatic element. Variations in light and sound contribute to this atmosphere, which oscillates between fantasy and psychological study.
The cast includes Guillaume Blanchard and Olivier Troyon, alternating with Frédéric Gray himself. The show is part of the team's artistic journey, already distinguished by a nomination for the 2022 Cyranos in the "Best Direction" category. The production is based on a tight interpretation of the main character, whose words and feelings form the essential dramatic material. This configuration allows the audience to explore the states of consciousness experienced by the protagonist and accompany his gradual descent into obsession.
Part of the 2025-2026 theater season, this adaptation of Le Horla joins other productions that revisit the classics from a contemporary perspective. Maupassant's text continues to fuel reflection on representations of madness, intimate fears, and invisible forms of control. The play offers an approach centered on sensory experience, echoing the current challenges of live performance, which seeks to renew perceptions of the repertoire. La Folie Théâtre thus welcomes a work whose cultural significance remains strong, carried by a team working to recreate the narrative tension imagined by the author.
Le Horla can be seen at the Folie Théâtre until February 1, 2026.
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Dates and Opening Time
From November 13, 2025 to February 1, 2026
Location
At La Folie Théâtre
6 Rue de la Folie Méricourt
75011 Paris 11
