At the Théâtre La Flèche, the Théâtre Vivant company presents Les Beaux, a play written by Léonore Confino (2017) and directed by Anne Coutureau. A piece as tense as an electrical wire, where love crackles, burns, then finally erupts. Barbie and Ken teetering on the edge of a breakdown: words hit hard, silences linger heavily.
Urban dramatic comedy with sometimes harsh but always sharp, Les Beaux explores the failure of materialistic dreams and the rotting core of the modern couple, shaped by a patriarchal society that equates success with dominance. At the heart of the story, their silent or silenced daughter — never seen during the 1 hour and 15 minutes of the play — becomes the focal point of the underlying unease.
The minimalist staging makes a striking impression: plenty of nerve, very few objects… right up to the opening scene. The temporal setup is one of the evening’s cleverest touches, because while the first act appears to be the usual—albeit blissfully idealized—exchange between a couple in love, it’s actually much more complex. It’s only once you pass through that door that the true dynamics are revealed, where the boundaries of reality blur and love begins to fracture, transforming this intimate space into a stage for the quiet violence of everyday life.
The performers are exceptional. Yasmin Van Deventer, with a Doria Tillier-like figure and a charming American accent, exudes a captivating presence. Opposite her, with a complex intensity, Cédric Welsch portrays a man who is both loving and destructive, his ordinary facade chilling. Together, they embody those who love each other yet destroy each other, promising everything but stealing what matters most.
However, Léonore Confino’s script bears the imprint of its time. While it takes a direct swipe at the myth of the high-performing couple, its relevance is now shaped by the post-#MeToo era. The staging soars, but the text leaves a lingering sense of incompleteness, even discomfort — a clear reminder that theatre is also an ideological battleground. This play—unsettling, essential, and ultimately timely—serves as a mirror to our contradictions.
Les Beaux runs every Thursday from January 8 to March 12, 2026, at Théâtre La Flèche. A must-see for a powerful punch, and a lively topic for discussion on the unseen sides.
Dates and Opening Time
From January 22, 2026 to March 12, 2026
Location
Théâtre La Flèche
77 Rue de Charonne
75011 Paris 11
Prices
Réduit: €18.99
€25.99
Official website
theatrelafleche.fr
