At the Théâtre des Muses this May, the stage becomes a vessel for the turbulent intersection of family, mental health, and the transformative power of the arts. In her one-woman production, L’Art d’être mon père (The Art of Being My Father), writer and performer Julie Timmerman navigates the delicate boundary between a father’s creative genius and the destabilizing effects of bipolar disorder.
Set in 1989, the narrative follows a pivotal year for young Zoé, whose parents have recently separated. In a bid to maintain a connection with his daughter, her father - a director of extraordinary sensitivity - takes on the task of staging a school production of Les Misérables. As rehearsals progress, he attempts to instill in the children a reverence for poetry and the necessity of art. However, his transgressions and manic excesses soon threaten the very spectacle he seeks to create.
Timmerman, performing under the banner of Idiomécanic Théâtre, demonstrates remarkable versatility by portraying a dozen distinct characters. The production, which runs for one hour, moves between humor and heartbreak, chronicling an intimate family history against a collective backdrop of Hugo’s classic literature.
Supported by a creative team including Philippe Sazerat for light design and Paul Guionie for sound, the play features the recorded voice of Alice Le Strat and a children’s choir led by Marion Gomar. Critics have noted Timmerman’s "lively writing" and her ability to portray personal history with a "perfectly measured sense of humor."
The production will run from May 21 to May 24, 2026, at 45A Boulevard du Jardin Exotique. Timmerman offers a poignant reflection on whether art can ultimately bridge the chasm created by a father's internal struggle.
Photo credit: Le Théâtre des Muses