Photo : Funambule
The first unpublished and truly personal play by Jean-Luc Lagarce at the Funambule Montmartre
Forget the dusty Homeric legends you studied in school; this stage production breathes raw, modern life into the women behind the hero's journey. Tucked away in a charming Montmartre theater, this long-lost script by a celebrated playwright offers a deeply moving exploration of sacrifice and longing. It is a sharp, atmospheric performance that brings emotional intensity to the forefront of the classic epic.
Le Funambule Montmartre (Paris 18th)
About
Experience a contemporary and intimate reimagining of the Odyssey at Le Funambule Montmartre, running from October 8 to November 8, 2026. This previously unpublished work by Jean-Luc Lagarce focuses on the women surrounding Ulysses—Penelope, Calypso, and Circe—offering a deeply human perspective on the legendary epic. Exploring themes of longing and the passage of time, this performance is suitable for audiences aged 12 and up. Located in the 18th arrondissement, the theater is fully accessible to wheelchair users, ensuring everyone can enjoy this gripping theatrical exploration of love, loss, and the nature of returning home.
For twenty years, Penelope has been waiting every day for Ulysses to return.
Waiting is what Calypso is about to experience, as she lets him leave to rejoin his beloved. As for Circe the sorceress, she refuses to do so, at the risk of dying.
Through his journey, it is a chorus of women—at once mother, lover, and wife—that tells us the story of an Odyssey on a human scale. In a world where time passes too quickly, is the return not too late from the very beginning?
A contemporary and captivating vision of one of the most iconic tales of Western literature.
What the press says
The first unpublished and truly personal play by Jean-Luc Lagarce. France Culture
Magnificent! Viva Culture
A spellbinding show where everything is suggested, except for the feelings. L’Art-Vues
This play does justice to these forgotten women and projects the viewer into their torments, their emotions, their joys, and their sorrows. Vivant Mag
From October 8 to November 8
Thursday to Saturday at 7:00 PM or 9:00 PM depending on the week
Sundays at 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM depending on the week
Our take on this event
Le Funambule Montmartre hosts a unique and deeply personal piece by Jean-Luc Lagarce, presented from October 8 to November 8, 2026. By shifting the focus from the hero to the women in his life—Penelope, Calypso, and Circe—the production crafts a poignant chorus that captures the complexity of their emotional journeys. It serves as a modern reflection on the classic Greek narrative, questioning the meaning of arrival in a world where time often feels as though it slips away too quickly.
Performances take place at Le Funambule Montmartre on rue des Saules in the 18th arrondissement. The schedule varies by week, with shows running from Thursday to Saturday at either 19:00 or 21:00, and on Sundays at either 18:00 or 19:00. Please verify the specific time for your chosen date when booking.
The play is open to viewers aged 12 and older. The venue is fully accessible for wheelchair users, making it an inclusive space for all theatergoers. Tickets are required for entry.
