"Monsieur le Curé is having a crisis": a show as funny as it is profound about the life of a parish

"Monsieur le Curé fait sa crisis", a show adapted from Jean Mercier's book, directed by Mehdi Djaadi and produced by Première Partie, premiered on September 29 at the Saint-Honoré d'Eylau church in Paris. . A single-on-stage that alternates between humor and depth brilliantly interpreted by Reynold de Guenyveau. 

Nothing is going well for Father Benjamin Bucquoy, a young priest sent to the parish of Sainte-Marie-aux-Fleurs, in Saint-Germain-la-Villeneuve. He who simply dreamed of bringing the faithful to God, spends his time settling disputes between parishioners and dealing with their dissatisfaction with him. When they come to sign a petition to protest against his methods and he learns that his bishop has entrusted the position of professor of Holy Scripture he coveted to one of his friends, he decides to flee. .

The role of the priest, as well as all the other characters, are interpreted by Reynold de Guenyveau who brilliantly sketches a gallery of colorful portraits. Throughout “Monsieur le Curé is having a fit”, the actor takes on the features of about fifteen characters such as Monique with her high-pitched voice and her manners, the gruff Ildefonse or the endearing Mado.

This humorous piece is ultimately an invitation to "love people over time, with their crease-resistant creases". It also reminds us of the importance of nurturing our personal relationship with God in order to be able to love others. “I failed in my times of prayer, when you don't maintain your dikes, they give way,” confides the priest with emotion when he realizes his wrongdoings.

A very successful show, adaptation of a book of the same name by Jean Mercier, former editor-in-chief of La Vie, released in 2016 by Quasar editions. The staging is the work of Mehdi Djaadi, accompanied by Héléna Sadowy. He will be on tour throughout France, mainly in church.

Camille Westphal Perrier