Dolto - Lorsque Françoise Paraît - Théâtre Comédie Odéon - Lyon

Welcoming Dolto, lorsque Françoise paraît to Théâtre Comédie Odéon

At Théâtre Comédie Odéon, we are delighted to open our stage to Dolto, lorsque Françoise paraît, a luminous theatrical portrait that invites audiences to encounter one of the most influential voices in twentieth-century thought. From our vantage point in the heart of Lyon’s cultural life, we strive to present works that blend rigor and emotion, and this production arrives as a rare opportunity to hear Françoise Dolto’s ideas resonate in an intimate, human scale. Our auditorium’s closeness to the stage, our careful attention to acoustics, and a warm, attentive team help foster the kind of listening this piece rewards: rigorous, compassionate, and curious. The performance embraces the rhythms of a live encounter—clear, precise language, moments of quiet humor, and an open, engaged address to the audience—so that Dolto’s reflections on childhood, family, and the power of speech feel less like museum pieces and more like living, contested questions. In the quiet focus of our venue, themes of trust, dignity, and the right of children to be heard emerge with a freshness that speaks powerfully to our times.

Presenting this portrait also aligns with our commitment to accompany artist-driven projects that evolve across seasons. The creative team behind Dolto, lorsque Françoise paraît continues to share the work widely, meeting audiences in a range of cities and formats, and refining the dramaturgy so it can breathe in both chamber spaces like ours and larger stages. From our side as host, we see how this sustained activity supports a vibrant conversation around Dolto’s legacy—her insistence that children are full subjects; her willingness to confront paradox, misapprehension, and resistance; her belief that speaking “with” rather than “about” can transform a life. That same spirit animates the company’s current artistic path: encounters after certain performances when schedules allow, exchanges with educators and healthcare professionals who attend, and a living approach to the text that allows it to adjust to the room and to the energy of Lyon’s audience. In recent seasons, the piece has drawn renewed attention to source materials—public talks, interviews, and writings that many spectators recognize or discover anew—without turning the stage into an archival display. Instead, the actors and direction pursue a clear line: to bring this thought into the present tense, with rigorous tenderness, so that each scene opens space for memory and for debate.

Why this portrait matters now in Lyon

Here at Théâtre Comédie Odéon, we value a theatre that meets audiences where they live, with their questions and their hopes. Dolto, lorsque Françoise paraît exemplifies that encounter. Through a sober, precise staging that favors proximity and clarity over ornament, the performance returns to cornerstones of Dolto’s work—echoes of La cause des enfants, memories of Lorsque l’enfant paraît, and gestures toward the clinics and conversations that shaped her practice—while also acknowledging controversies and the contradictions that accompany any strong, world-changing voice. The show’s language is direct and generous, folding humor into gravity so that the stage becomes a place for listening rather than lecturing. Our venue’s scale amplifies this intimacy: one hears the breath of a pause, feels the weight of a question, and notices how an idea passes from performer to spectator and back again. We present the piece as part of a clear artistic line in Lyon this season: a wish to host works that do not simply narrate the past but allow it to illuminate the present—how we speak to children, how we listen to difference, how we share authority within families and institutions. Audiences at Théâtre Comédie Odéon will find a portrait that is neither hagiography nor provocation, but a living conversation shaped by craft, attention, and the courage to think aloud together.