Fouché
A theatrical concert about a forgotten protagonist of the French Revolution
Joseph Fouché – a starring role in the shadows
Original photograph © Bert Haelvoet
Design © Simon Van den Brande
Following the success of Egmont and Landru, Het Banket and I SOLISTI are once again joining forces. While their previous music theatre production is still drawing full houses, the creators now turn to the improbable yet true life story of Joseph Fouché (1759–1820), the least known major figure of the French Revolution.
Much has been written, sung, filmed, and told about that great upheaval. While Robespierre, Marat, Napoleon, Danton, and Marie Antoinette fill the history books, Fouché moved constantly in their shadows. Nevertheless, he was present at every moment of the historical developments of his time.
He switched sides as easily as changing underwear: from one radical extreme to another. He was a Catholic seminary student in his youth, but later became a ruthless executioner of anyone associated with religion. He defected from the Girondins to the Jacobins, the two opposing factions within the revolutionary movement. He was at times a fanatical royalist and at others a militant anti-royalist. The once radical revolutionary Fouché later became a minister under Napoleon and ended his career as Minister of Police under King Louis XVIII.
Fouché’s life is full of breathtaking plot twists. How is it possible that this man, who played such a decisive and bizarre role during one of the most turbulent periods in history, has remained so unknown? Why is his extraordinary story not told more often?
Het Banket and I SOLISTI do not offer a dry history lesson, but bring the people behind the dates to life. In a mix of text, imagery, and new music by Frederik Neyrinck, Jan Decleir, Marjan De Schutter, a five-piece wind ensemble, and a soprano bring Fouché’s story to the stage. By shining a spotlight on this forgotten central figure, they also shed light on the period in which we live today. In recent years there has been renewed interest in this fascinating era of history, likely because we again find ourselves in a time when our familiar society is shaking on its foundations.
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Music:
Frederik Neyrinck – Fouché (creation)
Text:
Het Banket (Brechtje Louwaard and Tristan Versteven) – Fouché (creation)
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Text and direction: Het Banket (Brechtje Louwaard and Tristan Versteven)
Actors: Jan Decleir and Marjan De Schutter
Composition: Frederik Neyrinck
Musical direction: Francis Pollet
Musicians: Tille Van Gastel (flute), Tomonori Takeda (clarinet), Francis Pollet (bassoon), Simon Van Hoecke (trumpet), Bram Fournier of Joren Elsen (trombone), Hanna Al-Bender (soprano)
Technicians: Tristan Versteven (video) and Victor Hidalgo (audio)Production: I SOLISTI & Het Banket
Produced with the support of the Belgian Federal Government’s Tax Shelter incentive through Flanders Tax Shelter.