Christmas in Paris: three family outings to book now

Sugar Mizzy December 4, 2021

Charlie and the chocolate factory, at the Gymnase theater

Inspired by Roald Dahl’s famous children’s novel, the musical Charlie and the chocolate factory plays the poster at the Théâtre du Gymnase, in Paris. After being performed in London in 2013 and then on Broadway in New York in 2017, the show was adapted for the first time in French. The text is also modernized, The story for example cleverly in the mode of selfies and social networks. Even if we have read and re-read the book with our children, even if we have watched Tim Burton’s film (2005) to the point of indigestion, we reluctantly dive back into the story of young Charlie Bucket. That of this boy who grew up in a frail wooden house with his mother and his 4 slightly crazy grandparents. A penniless family but full of love. Charlie clings to his biggest dream: one day enters the grounds of the mysterious chocolate factory run by the strange Willy Wonka. So, when a raffle is organized to win a guided tour, Charlie provides his relatives to offer him a Wonka chocolate bar … hoping to find one of the five gold tickets at stake. Bingo! But who are the 4 other happy chosen ones? Violet Beauregarde, the queen of pop, Augustus Gloop, the gluttonous sausage fan, Mike Teavee, the pretentious geek, and Veruca Salt, a spoiled Russian princess.

What we thought of it. In view of their performances on stage, hats off to the young actors. Singing, dancing and comedy … children shine in all three disciplines! Special mention to Mathias Marzac who interprets with great talent and professionalism a touching and generous Charlie. As for Arnaud Denissel, he is dazzling by donning the colorful costume of the eccentric Willy Wonka. The inventive staging of Philippe Hersen (Mad Priscilla of the Desert) mixes moments of video projections and very successful sets, in particular those of the chocolate factory. About twenty songs, an orchestra that plays live, amazing actors make Charlie and the chocolate factory a high-end show to eat with the family … while waiting to discover on the big screen, in 2023, a new film on the confectioner, named Wonka and performed by Timothée Chalamet (Dune).

Gymnasium Theater, Paris Xe. Until March 6, 2022. Starting from 7 years old.

The musical troupe — The troupe of the musical “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at the Gymnase theater

@ Gymnasium Theater

Limited offer. 2 months for 1 € without commitment

Evolution in the process of enlightenment, at the Jardin des Plantes

At nightfall, in the Jardin des Plantes, it is not the animals of the menagerie that we have just observed, but strange and ancient creatures that glow in the dark. After a cancellation last winter, here is finally the third edition of the festival On the way to enlightenment orchestra by the Natural History Museum. More than a hundred sculptures – the most imposing reaching almost 30 meters in length – dazzle us once again. Made of silk and illuminated by LEDs, they were designed by China Light, a Chinese company specializing in the construction of lanterns.

In 2018, animals threatened with extinction were in the spotlight, in 2019, it was the turn of those who inhabit the oceans. This winter, visitors are invited to travel back in time, up to 600,000 years ago, to encounter species that have now disappeared from the planet. We learn that the flora and fauna of our time represent only 2% of the biodiversity that has existed on Earth. The route begins with a visit to the seabed, where the Opabinia lives, for example, an astonishing arthropod with 5 eyes or the strange Hallucigenia. For a long time, scientists believed that the dorsal tips of this worm were legs. The discovery of new fossils has finally allowed him to put his head back!

After admiring some giant mollusks, make way for dinosaurs to the delight of children. Some specimens are articulate and sport bright colors, like this purple Lystrosaurus. To continue the walk, you have to dare to step into the mouth of a huge tyrannosaurus. The path then heads towards the menagerie, where the fictitious bestiary coexists with the usual residents of the zoo. There, we will discover extinct but more famous animals, such as the saber-toothed tiger, the largest feline that ever existed, made famous thanks to the cartoon The Ice Age. A visual enchantment in the heart of the capital.

Garden of plants, access to place Valhubert, Paris Fri. Until January 30, 2022 (exceptional closure on December 24 and 30, 2021). At any age.

This strange thorny worm, Hallucigenia, lived around 500,000 million years ago.

@ C. Cadoux

Crazy !, at the Cirque d’Hiver

After Challenge in 2019, the Bouglione family presents Crazy !, his show from the previous season which had been scheduled in October 2020 and only interrupted by the second lockdown nine days after its launch. The most loyal spectators, those who have not missed any of Cirque d’Hiver’s finest productions over the past decade, could stay satisfied by discovering this vintage. But the joy of rediscovering the magic of the place wins out: the light shows, the music of the orchestra overlooking the track, the sequined costumes are sure to amaze children. Respect for the law obliges, the wild animals are no longer welcome on the track of the stars. The only animals that make their appearance this year are the horses of Régina Bouglione, a rider of excellence. Juggling, hula-hooping, aerial straps … The show alternates spectacular physical performances and moments of poetry. Young and old alike let themselves be charmed by Sergi Buka who sets Chinese shadows on a circular canvas circumscribed on the handlebars of his tricyle then hold their breath when the Navas brothers dare in the air a somersault on the Wheel of Death. Between two prowess, the clown Totti returns to service, just like Monsieur Loyal, with flawless elegance.