Hadrien revisité : une adaptation audacieuse sur scène

Dateline: Mérida – 3 Juillet 2024 –

la nouvelle adaptation des *Souvenirs d’Hadrien* de Marguerite Yourcenar, actuellement présentée à Mérida, propose une relecture saisissante de l’œuvre. La pièce, portée par l’acteur Homar, explore l’intemporalité de l’expérience humaine à travers un mélange audacieux de décors contemporains et d’éléments romains. L’utilisation de la technologie moderne, initialement déconcertante, finit par servir la profondeur poétique du texte et la réflexion sur le pouvoir et la solitude. Cette production promet une expérience théâtrale inoubliable, qui interroge notre rapport au passé et à l’humanité.

Here’s a breakdown of the provided text,focusing on its key points and themes:

Overall Topic: A review of a new stage adaptation of Marguerite Yourcenar’s novel Memoirs of Hadrian (Souvenirs d’Adriano in French).

Key Points:

Innovative Staging: The production deliberately avoids a traditional Roman setting. Instead, it juxtaposes the ancient world with the present.The backdrop is the imposing Corinthian columns of the Mérida theatre, while the stage features a modern, oval-shaped office reminiscent of the US President’s Oval Office.
Costume Design: The costumes follow the same principle of blending eras – contemporary business attire with togas added asymmetrically.
Modern Technology: The stage incorporates modern technology like televisions, cameras, microphones, electronic music, cables, and video projections to enhance the performance and convey emotions.
Initial Impact vs. Deeper Connection: The initial use of all this technology is described as “shocking” and “noisy.” However, as the actor (Homar) embodies Hadrian, the audience connects more deeply with the poetic nature of the text.
Focus on Intimacy: The most powerful moments come during the more intimate scenes, where Hadrian’s introspective nature (as revealed in the novel) shines through. The reviewer quotes a phrase from Flaubert that Hadrian himself found resonant: “When the gods no longer existed and Christ had not yet appeared, there was a unique moment, from Cicero to Marcus Aurelius, in which only man existed.”
Tour Dates: The production premiered in Mérida and will run there until Sunday. It will then move to the Marquina Theatre in Madrid (September 19 – October 12) and tour Spain before a season at the Romea Theatre in Barcelona in the spring.

Themes:

Timelessness of Human Experiance: The production emphasizes the enduring relevance of Hadrian’s reflections on life, death, power, and the human condition. The blending of ancient and modern elements suggests that these themes transcend time.
The Power of Introspection: The review highlights the importance of the novel’s (and the play’s) focus on Hadrian’s internal world and his attempt to understand himself.
* The Intersection of Past and Present: The staging and costume choices deliberately create a dialog between the ancient Roman world and contemporary society.

In essence, the review praises a bold and thought-provoking adaptation that successfully captures the essence of yourcenar’s novel while offering a fresh and modern outlook.