Photo : Michel ROUDNEV
Mendel the Bookseller – by Stefan Zweig
A bookseller draws the admiration of early 20th-century Vienna with the breadth of his knowledge. The 14-18 war will change his destiny forever.
À La Folie Théâtre (Paris 11th)
About
In the Vienna of the turn of the century, there is no bibliophile who does not know Jakob Mendel, a living catalog of all printed knowledge. A monomaniac with a prodigious memory, terribly untalented in business, he is afflicted with a bibliographic bulimia that makes him a precious man. But the war will plunge this pacifist man into cruel violence and despairing absurdity.
Press:
Froggy’s delight: "The show is brief but intense!"
RegArts: "A theatrical jewel."
Eklektike: "We come out of it overwhelmed."
Instants Spectacles: "A rare, intelligent, and profoundly human show."
Théâtre au vent: "Jean-Luc Giorno plays several characters and excels as Mendel. And Nicole Giorno is so moving in the role of Madame Sporschil."
Our take on this event
Witness the incredible journey of a man who held the entire world's knowledge within his mind, only to see it collide with the brutality of war. This intimate theatrical adaptation captures the fragility and brilliance of a true bibliophile with moving, raw intensity. Prepare to walk away changed by this deeply human performance.
Experience Stefan Zweig's Le bouquiniste Mendel at La Folie Théâtre in the 11th arrondissement. This play follows the tragic life of Jakob Mendel, a brilliant Viennese book lover whose extraordinary memory and pacifist spirit are shattered by the horrors of war. Suitable for audiences aged 12 and up, the production features actors Jean-Luc Giorno and Nicole Giorno in a touching performance. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring comfortable access for all guests to witness this rare and intense theatrical gem from December 4, 2026, through March 6, 2027.
From December 4, 2026, to March 6, 2027, La Folie Théâtre presents an adaptation of Stefan Zweig's work, Le bouquiniste Mendel. The story centers on Jakob Mendel, a bibliophile with an uncanny memory, whose life takes a dark turn when the outbreak of war introduces violence into his peaceful, book-filled world. Jean-Luc Giorno skillfully portrays several characters, while Nicole Giorno delivers a moving performance as Madame Sporschil in this critically acclaimed piece.
Performances are held every Friday and Saturday from 19:30 to 20:45. Please note that the theater will remain closed on December 25, 2026, and January 1, 2027. Ticket prices range from 10 to 22 euros. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and the content is appropriate for spectators aged 12 and older.
