Comédie-Française

Ok!  In Paris, 5th Arrondisment, one block from Cathedral Notre Dame...nice neighborhood, close to the RER (train to both airports...flew in to Orly...out of De Gaul)...in a place that is at the top of the stairs. 

Last night I walked around this neighborhood (The Latin Quarter) then across the river to walk up (or down) the Seine by the Louvre (not enough time to go in) and up the street to the Comédie-Française. 

You might know this guy:

Can you see that?  It's Moliere. He started a theatre company (actually, more than one)...an ensemble... The Comédie-Française. 

The building isn't quite that old...but pretty sharp nonetheless. 

I checked the lobby/box office and had heard they were doing Hamlet. Question: why is a troupe called Comédie-Française doing a tragedy? Not sure...they step out of the world of comedy on occasion, I guess. I was intrigued, so, for 13 Euro, I got to sit in the back row, top balcony...hey- 13 Euro!

Because the show was in French I was glad it was a play I know pretty well. The play was set in a pub, circa late 1970's, and the feel of the acting was very much that of a commedia trained troupe working on Hamlet. Comédie-Française is not really a commedia troupe, per se, but they used the world of comedy; large characters, comedy staging conventions, and some schtick. But, it still worked, I thought. There was a lightness that was brought to the piece that let the dark, honest moments really take hold. For instance...the first Ghost scene was kind of Keystone Cops-like...a bit, not too much... but the next ghost scene was very intense. So, it seemed like they were a troupe playing a comedy, but as the play unravels, it's not so funny anymore.

Two things that hit me about Paris last night:

1) Istanbul has no building regulation, it seems, and poor urban planning...high rises in any neighborhood, no charm. Paris was built on a plan. I guess some government regulation isn't all bad....

2) Don't go to Paris without your love. Everywhere there are sweet couples mushing it in my face that I'm here alone. 

As I mentioned before, it was the first time I've ever done anything like this alone. It's been tough and lonely at times, but ii have been pretty busy establishing the groundwork for my Phd. I had a two day reprieve with my friend Ray, but Paris made me wish I had gone home after Istanbul. But, there is work to do, so off I go!