Le Salon revisited

At the heart of Le Salon lies the image of a once-magnificent drawing room, a space that embodies both heritage and decline. What was once a sanctuary of refinement and wealth has become a stage of erosion, where grandeur slips into absurdity, and dignity collapses under the weight of time. The aristocratic grandfather—once the cornerstone of the family—struggles to preserve appearances, yet his faltering control over his house, his body, and his mind mirrors the crumbling world around him.

The inspiration for this piece was drawn from Satyajit Ray’s Le Salon de Musique, deepening its cultural lineage. Just as this film evoked the twilight of an Indian aristocracy confronted with modernity, Le Salon transposes that same sense of decline.

Created collectively by the performers, Le Salon toured the world from 2004 to 2009. It was presented across Europe, South Korea, and Australia, where it captivated audiences with its singular blend of theatricality, physical performance, and biting social commentary. As a review from Quimper aptly puts it: “In this salon that presents itself as the mirror of our lives…”, Le Salon shows ghostly echoes of decay in seemingly ordinary families. The play reflects not only loss and aging, but also the internal rifts that arise when tradition, wealth, and family relationships come under pressure. For many spectators, it became a landmark experience—a work that lingered long after the curtain fell.

Now, nearly two decades later, we are returning to Le Salon not simply to restage it, but to reimagine it. This revival acknowledges the enduring relevance of the piece while allowing new generations of artists and audiences to engage with its questions. What does decline mean in our contemporary world? How do families, nations, and individuals confront the erosion of their certainties? And how does theatre itself serve as a space to reflect on memory, loss, and renewal?

Le Salon revisited will be created and performed by a new group of 5 performers, three dancers, one singer, and one actor. Directed by Franck Chartier and Gabriela Carrizo.