A pebble in the shoe at the Apollo Theatre in Paris: a boulevard comedy about lies

In Paris, the Apollo Theatre is presenting A Pebble in the Shoe, a comedy by Kévin Coquard directed by Lydie Tison. The play runs on April 1st and 3rd, 2026, and revolves around a breakup gone awry, filled with lies, misunderstandings, and unexpected guests.

Some nights feel like they’re entirely manageable, while others spiral into chaos the moment the door closes behind you... That’s exactly where the play Un caillou dans la chaussure begins, set to premiere at the Apollo Theatre in Paris on April 1st and 3rd, 2026.

In this play, Fabien finally makes his move: he plans to leave Lucie during a carefully orchestrated dinner, set in a space designed to soften the blow — with food, champagne, and understated decor. The plan seems logical on paper, but everything begins to unravel when uninvited guests arrive unexpectedly.

This comedy pays homage to the classic boulevard tradition, weaving a web of lies, misunderstandings, and betrayals. The cast features Kévin Coquard, Aurélie de Soissan, Simon Dubois, Clement Pellerin, and Camille Remy.

Un caillou dans la chaussure à l’Apollo Théâtre à Paris : une comédie de boulevard sur le mensonge — ©Philippe Dayries

Lies, misunderstandings, and the classic farce of boulevard theater

The play is built around a straightforward and powerful idea: how a tiny lie can trigger far-reaching consequences far beyond the original problem. Sometimes, simply skirting around the truth or not being completely honest can turn an ordinary situation into something much more complicated and unpredictable. This is the core mechanism that drives Un caillou dans la chaussure.

Kévin Coquard encapsulates this intention, according to the play’s press kit, with the phrase "Not all truths are worth telling"... before explaining that he wanted to poke fun at the tendency to turn little lies into major tragedies. Lydie Tison extends this approach with a staging described as elegant, featuring a minimalist and stylized set. The show seems to lean toward a lively musical comedy style, while maintaining a sense of restraint.

An Energizing Comedy for a Must-See Theatre Night in Paris

On stage, Un caillou dans la chaussure brings together five actors portraying six characters, promising a quick succession of situations, misunderstandings, and interactions among the characters. This new production also marks the debut of the play's writer, Kévin Coquard, while Lydie Tison continues her diverse career spanning theater, writing, audiovisual work, and production. This convergence of paths may catch the attention of audiences interested in new theatrical comedies, as well as those familiar with the artists' previous stage projects.

For those seeking a play set in Paris based on a single initial lie, a romantic breakup, and a surge of collective frenzy, Une caillou dans la chaussure offers a familiar backdrop. The real question then becomes straightforward: how far can an evening, originally organized to prevent conflict, spiral out of control when everyone adds their own version, interpretation, or personal stake to the story?

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