Theater - Upside Down

Inspired by the chapter “Love, the Child” in Anne Dufourmantelle’s *En cas d’amour*, the play—written and directed by Noëmie Ksicova—immerses us in a cinematic-style performance.

At the river’s edge, a child loses his footing. A man dives in, rescues him, and holds him close to keep him warm. From this closeness arises a desire that he describes as anything but sexual—a desire for life in the face of death. This desire will nonetheless lead to serious consequences.

Twenty years later, Raphaël reunites with the man. For three days, they are inseparable and make love. A few weeks later, the man commits suicide. Literally captivated by *En cas d’amour*, a book by psychoanalyst Anne Dufourmantelle, Noëmie Ksicova reflects on the emergence of the monstrous and, with philosophical insight, seeks to decipher and understand what might have happened. Theater, music, and video intertwine in this play, leaving it to the silences and images to convey what words cannot express.

Based on the chapter “Love, the Child” from *En cas d’amour* by Anne Dufourmantelle
Concept, writing, and direction by Noëmie Ksicova
Produced by Compagnie Ex-Oblique / Comédie de Reims, national drama center.