Photo : Justine Lephay
Le Cid Snaps
Come and discover Le Cid Snaps, a funny family show co-written by Pierre Corneille and Caroline Vigneaux, sung by Mc Solaar with inventive staging, which will make you want to (re)discover the original work!
Théâtre Hébertot (Paris 17th)
About
“Two years ago, I took my children to see a classic play… And they didn’t understand anything! Why? Because they didn't have the references! I wanted to introduce them to it, but I just ended up putting them off. That’s when the idea came to me to rewrite Le CID, a story about teenagers torn between 'I love you' and 'my father is going to kill me'—in short, a story about today’s teens, written in the 17th century, which I’ve rewritten with (de)constructive respect, all in alexandrines! According to my sons, it’s M.A.D.N.E.S.S.!” Caroline Vigneaux, author and director.
ACCORDING TO CORNEILLE 1637
Rodrigue loves Chimène and Chimène loves Rodrigue. Their marriage is about to be celebrated when a violent argument breaks out between the young people's fathers. Rodrigue is then forced to face Chimène’s father in a duel. For the young man, the dilemma is cruel: must he avenge his father’s honor or save the love of the one he loves?
ACCORDING TO CORNEILLE & CAROLINE VIGNEAUX, 2026
Rodrigue and Chimène are madly in love and ready to get married… except their dads are having a huge fight. Chimène’s father (the Count) slaps Rodrigue’s father (Don Diègue) after an ego clash. Since Don Diègue is too old to fight, he passes his sword to his son Rodrigue so that he kills the Count! His girlfriend’s father! Yes, back then they didn’t joke about respect.
And that’s where the Cornelian dilemma (from Pierre Corneille, the author) arises: to avenge his father, Rodrigue must choose between losing his family’s honor or losing the love of his girlfriend. So what will he choose? Love or honor?
Honestly, it’s intense…
Our take on this event
Forget everything you think you know about 17th-century theater; this reimagined classic transforms high-stakes tragedy into a hilariously relatable story of teenage rebellion. Whether you are a fan of French literature or just love a good drama, you will find this sharp and witty take on the Cid absolutely refreshing.
The Théâtre Hébertot presents Le Cid Pète Un Câble, a fresh and energetic adaptation of Corneille's masterpiece written and directed by Caroline Vigneaux. Designed for children aged 6 and up, this production blends the classic Alexandrine verse with contemporary adolescent dilemmas, making the legendary story of love and honor relatable to a younger generation. Running until January 3, 2027, this theatrical experience is priced between 15 and 42 euros. It offers a unique opportunity for families to enjoy a witty, accessible, and high-energy performance in the heart of Paris's 17th arrondissement.
Caroline Vigneaux brings a bold and modern perspective to this classic tale, exploring the intense struggle of young lovers Rodrigue and Chimène. While maintaining the original structure of the alexandrines, the play reimagines the epic conflict as a relatable story of modern teenagers trapped between family honor and romantic devotion. This production ensures that the complex themes of the 17th-century masterpiece are both clear and engaging for a modern audience, starting from age 6.
The performances take place at the Théâtre Hébertot from October 7, 2026, to January 3, 2027. The schedule features shows on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 15:30, as well as Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 19:00. Sunday performances are held at 15:30. Additional shows are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 15:30 during school holidays. Ticket prices range from 15 to 42 euros.
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