Théâtre : Le sourire de Darwin

Combining theater and science, empirical research and artistic quest, actress Isabella Rossellini concocts a conference-show that's a joy to behold.

Isabella Rossellini confides that she inherited her illustrious parents? desire to invent, independence of spirit and curiosity. She thus decided to cultivate her childhood passion for animals, earning a master?s degree in ethology and setting up an organic farm near New York. Quite naturally, she wanted to unite "the two loves of her life: acting and animal behavior", sharing her love of animals through her radiant talent for storytelling.

Based on the theories of the famous naturalist, Muriel Mayette-Holtz's lively and fluid staging of the lecture-show is as instructive as it is funny. What are the universal signs shared by all species? Do animals smile at each other? Whether you're wearing a peacock dress, a gorilla suit or other finery, how do you decipher body language?

Cleverly linked to the actress?s own life, the performance sheds light on certain aspects of species evolution while celebrating the pleasure of theatrical play. Artists and scientists alike are unparalleled observers, but also masters of the imagination!

CHARLES DARWIN (1809-1882)
Famous English naturalist, Charles Darwin helped revolutionize biology with his theories on evolution in his works Origin of Species (1859), Parentage of Man and Sex Selection (1871), Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals (1872), etc.
ISABELLA ROSSELLINI
Daughter of filmmaker Roberto Rossellini and actress Ingrid Bergman. A model and actress, she has worked with many directors, including Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, Robert Zemeckis, Marjane Satrapi and Guy Maddin With David Lynch, she appeared in the films Blue Velvet and Sailor and Lula.


CREATED BY: ISABELLA ROSSELLINI
DIRECTED BY: MURIEL MAYETTE-HOLTZ
WITH: ISABELLA ROSSELLINI
SET & COSTUMES : RUDY SABOUNGHI
LIGHTING : PASCAL NOËL
MUSIC: CYRIL GIROUX
VIDEOS: ANDY BYERS, RICK GILBERT
IMAGE DESIGN: ANDY BYERS

Production Théâtre National de Nice - CDN Nice Côte d?Azur in collaboration with Les Visiteurs du Soir