Photo : © Emma Depoid
Roman Empire (I'm trying to learn to live with fear) - Animal Architecte
The company Animal Architecte embarks on an exploration of the relationship between architecture and power, delivering a light and mischievous theatrical form.
Théâtre de la Bastille (Paris 11th)
About
Why do authoritarian powers always seem so obsessed with ancient columns, starting with Trump and his ballroom project? Why did the hashtag #RomanEmpire explode on social media, reflecting a masculine fascination with order and imperial aesthetics? And how can the Bauhaus, a small modernist applied arts school in the Saxon province, active for a dozen years and closed for over a century, represent a power struggle today? What does a culture war sound like?
Roman Empire (I'm trying to learn to live with fear) will have fun trying to answer these enigmas and will explore the relationship between power and architecture by summoning a few ghosts, Roman or otherwise, and posing the question from the very place where it is spoken: a theater. The majesty of the architectures summoned will be met with a sober and rigorous, whimsical, fragile, and mischievous form.
Our take on this event
Forget the grandiose symbols of authority you see in the news and join this witty exploration of why we are so hooked on stone columns and imperial echoes. This theatrical piece subverts architectural tropes with a clever, offbeat energy, turning a cold academic question into a vibrant human experience.
Hosted at the Théâtre de la Bastille, Roman Empire (j'essaie d'apprendre à vivre avec la peur) is a production by Animal Architecte that examines the intersection of political authority and architecture. By contrasting imperial aesthetics with the modernist legacy of the Bauhaus, the performance probes why authoritarian figures and contemporary social media trends remain captivated by the classical past. This thought-provoking piece invites the audience to consider the cultural wars shaping our world through a sharp, ironic lens. Designed for adults aged 18 and over, this event requires booking to explore how structural forms reflect the power dynamics of our time.
Animal Architecte brings a unique exploration of power to the Théâtre de la Bastille with their latest production, Roman Empire (j'essaie d'apprendre à vivre avec la peur). The play investigates why leaders are drawn to classical columns and how the influence of the Bauhaus movement remains a flashpoint for modern cultural conflict. Using a mix of historical ghosts and digital-age observations, the performance adopts a rigorous yet playful tone to dissect how architecture serves as a stage for political fear and ambition.
Attendance is limited to those aged 18 and up. Performances take place between January 13 and January 21, 2027. From January 13 to January 19, shows run on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 19:00 to 20:30, and on Saturdays from 16:00 to 17:30. For the final dates on Wednesday, January 20, and Thursday, January 21, the performance time is from 20:00 to 21:30. Tickets are required for this paid event, and advanced booking is recommended.
