Marivaux’s final comedy in three acts, “Les Fausses Confidences,” written in 1737 for the Comédiens italiens de l’Hôtel de Bourgogne, did not initially receive the success the author had hoped for during his lifetime. It wasn’t until its revival at the Théâtre-Français in 1793 that the intricacies of the plot, which involve sparking love through false confessions, finally captured the audience’s favor. Far from the typical romantic entanglements and disguises that characterized his earlier works, this play focuses on a young widow, a manipulative valet, and a lovestruck young man.
Dorante, portrayed with a nuanced blend of timidity and determination by the excellent Pierre-François Garel, is a 30-year-old man of honesty and integrity. The son and nephew of lawyers, he is knowledgeable in business but lacks wealth. One evening at the Opera, he catches sight of the charming Amarinte, played with subtle grace by the luminous Georgia Scalliet. It’s love at first sight, especially considering she is wealthy and widowed. In response to his master’s enamored expression, the cunning Dubois, portrayed with warmth by Gilles Privat, devises a Machiavellian scheme. With carefully crafted false confessions here and there, the trap is set, and the union is sealed.
However, being a Marivaux play, the trap is executed with finesse. Misunderstandings and confusion add spice to the plot, while secondary characters inject their own twists. The Count, portrayed brilliantly by Alexandre Ruby, sees marrying Amarinte as a way to avoid a lawsuit. The sharp-tongued Madame Argante, played with delightful malice by Dominique Valadié, is eager to climb the social ladder at the expense of her daughter’s desires. And Marthon, the charmingly naive character brought to life by the talented Swiss actress Yasmina Remil, entertains romantic illusions that may not be entirely accurate.
Alain Françon’s talent shines through in bringing this multi-layered play to life. The comedy isn’t overt but rather subtle and mischievous. Instead of caricatures, each character is imbued with human complexity that closely aligns with the actors’ portrayals. Through expert manipulation, Françon crafts a production that is sophisticated and elegant, deriving laughter not from frivolity but from the actors’ brilliant performances.
In a modern twist on a classic, Françon’s staging, set in an abstract rather than realistic backdrop by Jacques Gabel, blends baroque music with rock guitar riffs and costumes that evoke the early 20th century rather than the Enlightenment era. With meticulous attention to detail, he shifts time and tone, creating a theatrical experience that seamlessly merges reality and fiction. With over 148 scheduled performances, “Les Fausses Confidences” promises to be one of the season’s standout productions.
Olivier Frégaville-Gratian d’Amore – correspondent in Carouge
In addition to the performances at the Théâtre de Carouge, the play will embark on a tour to various cities, including Fribourg, Lyon, Nanterre Amandiers, Brive-Tulle, Albi-Tarn, Nice, Versailles, Pau, Amiens, Angers, Aix-en-Provence, Caen, Annecy, Saint-Étienne, and finally at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin in Paris. Directed by Alain Françon with a talented cast including Pierre-François Garel, Guillaume Lévêque, Gilles Privat, Yasmina Remil, Séraphin Rousseau, Alexandre Ruby, Dominique Valadié, Georgia Scalliet, and Maxime Terlin, this production promises to be a theatrical gem not to be missed.