Just an opinion on “Juste une cachette” (just a hiding-place) by Madeline Fouquet

As you might already know it, last Saturday Minna and I, accompanied by my parents, have been at the first performance of the new play by Madeline Fouquet and Claudie Ollivier : “Juste une cachette“.

Just an opinion from the Chatmouettes !

Just a wait before the start of the play ?

More and more people cram into the entrance hall of the theatre Peskine, one of this moment when the impatience of being able to enter in the room and sit comfortably becomes almost palpable. But once more Madeline and Claudie catch us off our guard as the play won’t start once we are sitting in the room, once everybody is quiet, once the three knocks resound, no everything starts now in this hall where abound the future member of the audience turning into actors ! At first we smile, we question ourselves then we get hooked and this game go on even once the doors open, up to our seats where we are able to sit, reassured. The play can continue !

Just another story on WW2 ?

I won’t give you more details on this play to avoid stealing the pleasure of watching it, I promise.
A village in the centre of France during the Occupation and persecution of the Jews, it is a context in which it is risky or even easy to fall into the maudlin, the fine sentiments and the déjà-vu-ok-we’ve-had-enough-of-this ! Not at all !

This shows the talent of writing and of recounting the story of Madeline Fouquet as well as the impeccable and original performance of Claudie Ollivier.
The scenes follow on from each other without any idle time and take us in a tragic story but full of hope and messages. The 5 actors are excellent and always accurate, with a special mention, of course, for the children who are not just acting as supporting roles, quite the opposite !

Juste une cachette ?

This play contains several levels of understanding, the youngest ones won’t understand everything but it won’t stop them from enjoying it, the oldest ones will probably feel like they are reliving a period of their life which is difficult to forget and will appreciate the tribute to those who dared the civil disobedience to bring a better world to the next generation and others will see an hymn to those who, from all times and from all countries, dared revolting by making human being a priority !

A modern play full of messages which are, unfortunately, still relevant today. The only difference is that at that time the evil had a face and nowadays it is more pernicious as it is more difficult to identify it.

Just a suggestion !

It’s always interesting to realize how much we learn about our history thanks to artists rather than at school.
If I may make a suggestion : Madeline and Claudie should put this masterpiece under free license to enable most people to show this play in schools or elsewhere while respecting the law and copyright.