Photo : © Antoine Gautier, Sylvain Gaudu
Sylvain Gaudu | The Swimming Lane
Follow the rhythmic laps of a municipal pool where the mundane rituals of regulars meet the fragile beauty of memory loss. This touching performance explores how one woman drifts between reality and reverie, challenging how we care for those whose pace differs from the rest of the world. Expect a deeply moving experience that stays with you long after the final bow.
Théâtre L'étoile du nord (Paris 18th)
About
The Théâtre L'étoile du nord hosts La Ligne de nage, a play by Sylvain Gaudu centered on the daily rituals of municipal pool regulars. The story follows Alice, a retired worker experiencing the early stages of dementia, as her internal world begins to drift. This poignant production is recommended for audiences aged 14 and up and features comprehensive accessibility, welcoming individuals with motor, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. Set in the heart of the 18th arrondissement, this theatrical performance invites viewers to reflect on social solidarity and the ways in which we support vulnerable individuals within our community.
In a municipal swimming pool, a group of regulars meets every day, sharing their rituals and loneliness without really knowing each other. Among them is Alice, a retired factory worker in the early stages of dementia. Here, everyone looks after her.
One day, a crack appears at the bottom of the main pool and heralds others, those of her memory. Between the tangible world and her daydreams, between reality and oblivion, Alice slips toward an elusive elsewhere, upsetting her family and questioning the way our society supports non-productive individuals.
Our take on this event
From Thursday, November 19 to Friday, November 20, 2026, experience Sylvain Gaudu's La Ligne de nage at the Théâtre L'étoile du nord. Performances take place nightly from 20:00 to 21:30. The narrative unfolds within the walls of a public swimming pool, where a group of strangers shares a routine until a crack at the bottom of the pool mirrors the fading clarity of Alice's memory.
Through Alice's journey, the play explores the boundary between reality and hallucination, examining the impact of her condition on her family and questioning how society treats those who no longer fit traditional definitions of productivity. It is a profound look at care, solitude, and the ties that bind a small, unlikely community together.
Tickets are priced between 5 and 18 euros. The venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users, as well as to individuals who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or living with cognitive disabilities.
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