Photo : © India Lange
The Lover - Excerpts from the novel by Marguerite Duras - Noémie Gantier
Step into the evocative world of Duras as a single voice brings the humid, complex tension of the Mekong River to life on stage. This raw performance strips away the artifice to reveal the dark, yearning heart of a classic literary masterpiece.
Mairie du 11e arrondissement (Paris 11th)
About
Experience the raw intensity of Marguerite Duras’s L’Amant as performed by Noémie Gantier. This reading-performance delves into the complex transition from childhood to adulthood, capturing the themes of desire, colonialism, and family turmoil found within the iconic novel. Set for December 10, 2026, at the Mairie du 11e arrondissement, this event offers a profound look at the text’s dark humor and emotional depth. Entry is free of charge, and the venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users as well as individuals with visual or hearing impairments. Attendance is strictly reserved for those aged 18 and over.
The actress makes her way through The Lover, by Marguerite Duras, a text both hated and adored, hand in hand with the young girl from the novel, who crosses the Mekong River on a ferry and thinks she is falling in love. Upon reaching the other bank, she will have left her childhood and family behind to discover the power of desire. Embodying this novel means embracing all its complexity: the sticky colonialism, the unresolved turmoil of the young girl's prostitution, the maternal madness, the dark humor, and that eroticism that seeps in everywhere, even where we would rather not find it. In this reading-performance, Noémie Gantier presents the first stage of this epic performance.
Our take on this event
The Mairie du 11e arrondissement hosts an evening dedicated to the work of Marguerite Duras, featuring a performance by actress Noémie Gantier. This event presents the initial stages of a larger theatrical project, bringing the evocative story of a young girl crossing the Mekong river to life. The performance embraces the complexity of the novel, touching upon colonial tensions, maternal madness, and the persistent, often uncomfortable nature of desire.
The reading takes place on Thursday, December 10, 2026, from 19:00 to 20:15. Due to the mature nature of the source material, the event is open to adults aged 18 and older. Admission is free, welcoming all members of the public to witness this literary interpretation.
Inclusivity is a priority for this performance. The venue is equipped to welcome visitors in wheelchairs and provides specific adaptations for audience members who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. Guests are invited to attend this unique encounter with Duras's literature in an accessible and welcoming environment.
