French writer-actor, director presents one-man performance

Known for their work in the French cinema and theater, the husband-wife team of Pierre-Olivier Scotto and Martine Feldmann present an original play and workshop. Scotto’s one-man performance of his play Voyage au Pays de Molière (Voyage to the Country of Molière), directed by Feldmann, takes place at 8 p.m. Monday, March 31. The three-hour workshop is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 1.

Sponsored by the French language and literature department, both events will be held in Gannett Theater, Pettigrew Hall, and are open to the public at no charge.

Scotto’s comedy is not a “best bits from Molière” compilation nor a biographical piece about the great French playwright. Instead, it seeks to reimagine Molière’s theatrical vision for our time. With Scotto performing all characters, the play’s leading role is that of the actor Pierrot (from Molière’s “Don Juan”), who is subject to delusions that Molière is alive, hiding in a theater and awaiting Pierrot’s questions. “The play is a tribute to theater,” says Scotto.
Scotto and Feldmann are co-directors of the Théâtre de l’Escalier d’Or, in Paris, and are well-respected in French theater and screen. Feldmann is a theatrical writer, producer and director. Scotto has appeared in more than 20 films and television programs, with principal roles and screenplay credits in such films as The Beate Klarsfeld Story, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, and Stan et Achille, directed by Philippe Setbon.