Photo : Hugues Duchêne
Show: The Abolition of Privileges
A virtuoso solo, immersing the spectator in the heart of the 1789 Estates General.
MAIF Social Club (Paris 3rd)
About
After Je m’en vais mais l’État demeure, Hugues Duchêne adapts Bertrand Guillot's historical novel: The Abolition of Privileges. It is a state with a chronic deficit, where the wealthiest avoid taxes. A regime out of breath. A people on edge, demanding justice and seeing nothing happen. A rich but blocked country, plagued by the whims of a chaotic climate. This is France in the summer of 1789. Until one night, at Versailles, everything changes. It is the Night of August 4th. Performed in a quadrifrontal space by an actor portraying a dozen characters, The Abolition of Privileges is a sprint that gives the feeling that history has suddenly accelerated.
"Jubilant show"; "Duchêne has the art of injecting theater into real life" — Le Monde
Our take on this event
Witness the explosive atmosphere of the French Revolution in this high-octane one-man show that feels surprisingly current. A single actor masterfully maneuvers through a dozen characters, turning historical tension into a gripping, fast-paced sprint. It is an electrifying piece of theater that proves how quickly society can pivot when the pressure boils over.
From April 1 to April 7, 2027, the MAIF Social Club presents L’abolition des privilèges, a compelling stage adaptation of Bertrand Guillot's historical novel. Directed by Hugues Duchêne, this performance explores the turbulent summer of 1789 and the historic night of August 4, when France reached a breaking point. A single actor portrays ten different characters in a high-speed, quadrifrontal production that bridges the gap between historical crisis and modern-day echoes. Suitable for ages 14 and up, this event is entirely free of charge and offers a sharp, immersive look at political and social upheaval in the heart of the 3rd arrondissement.
Running from April 1, 2027, to April 7, 2027, at the MAIF Social Club, the show L’abolition des privilèges brings a fresh perspective to the collapse of the French Old Regime. Adapted from Bertrand Guillot’s work, the play depicts a nation burdened by debt, tax injustice, and environmental instability. Through a unique quadrifrontal stage setup, the production highlights the sheer intensity of the events leading up to the night of August 4, 1789.
Director Hugues Duchêne utilizes a fast-paced narrative style to show how quickly history can shift. The entire production rests on the shoulders of one performer, who masterfully cycles through a dozen distinct roles. By stripping away the distance between the audience and the stage, the performance creates a sense of immediate urgency, effectively mirroring contemporary frustrations with political structures.
This show is open to audiences aged 14 and older. Attendance is free for all patrons. Located in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, the venue provides an ideal setting for this critically acclaimed theatrical experience that vividly reconstructs the rapid transition of the French Revolution.
