Marseille ‘Up there’ triumphs over the Canebière – And if the first paradise of the operetta was the Odeon
Created at the Bouffes Parisiens in 1923, one of the most famous arias, even the best known because notably sung by Maurice Chevalier, the operetta ” Up there! “Composed by the very Parisian Maurice Yvain (he was born in the 2nd arrondissement and died in Suresnes) celebrates the capital in these terms:” The first paradise is Paris … “The tune is sung, this weekend, at the top of the Canebière and it was appreciated, even by the supporters of OM! It was on the stage of the Odeon, which is itself the first paradise for the operetta, where the work was performed.
- Saint-Pierre surrounded by the Chosen Ones. (Photo Christian Dress)
” Up there! “, it’s a dream. That of the dandy Evariste Chanterelle who finds himself in Paradise and who, from up there, sees his wife pursued by the diligence of his cousin Martel. He obtains permission from Saint-Pierre to go and restore some order at home, but he will be accompanied by Frisotin, the guardian angel of the wife Emma. In the meantime he got acquainted with the Chosen ones who, here, are Joan of Arc, Betty Boop, Wednesday-Friday Addams, Marilyn Monroe, Dalida and a Marseille Castafiore… Characters who will make the three pass at the speed of a TGV hours of the performance.
Dream environment
In “dream” sets by Emmanuelle Favre, with “dream” costumes by Katia Duflot, Carole Clin, always with finesse and elegance, sets up an action that alternates airs, a few spoken scenes, dances in use in 1920s, all interspersed with musical tracks perfectly served by the Odeon orchestra under the direction of Bruno Conti. The “between two wars” paste of the work could have been delicate to appreciate, but it was not. Thanks to a scenic and musical environment of extreme quality, of course, but also by the performance of a troupe of artists totally invested in this production, of great homogeneity and in a foolproof good mood.
Homogeneous and quality distribution
Qualities developed in the game, but also in the song and without any weakness of anyone. Caroline Gea (Emma), Julie Morgane (Maud) and Kathia Blas are the cornerstones of a female cast in which the “Chosen” Priscilla Beyrand, Perrine Cabassud, Sofia Nait and Émilie Sestier excel in all the registers required by their the roles. The male quartet is priceless with the imposing Saint-Pierre by Philippe Fargues, the facetious and dynamic Evariste and Frisotin, respectively Fabrice Todaro and Grégory Juppin and the Martel a tad silly and well voiced by Dominique Desmons.
A real dream moment in the heart of a pastel paradise which would have deserved to be shared by a greater number of people with, however, balm in the heart due to the presence of children and adolescents who came with their families and who seemed conquered and delighted by the spectacle. Succession ?
Michel EGEA
“Up there! »Last performance this Sunday November 28 at 2:30 p.m. at
l’Odéon, 162 La Canebière (1er) – More info and reservations https://odeon.marseille.fr/
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