Photo : Marie Gioanni
Thérèse et Isabelle, Marie Fortuit
Written in 1954 by Violette Leduc and long censored, the text “Thérèse et Isabelle” recounts the absolute passion of two teenagers in a boarding school. A poetic language expresses female sensuality and lesbian desire.
Théâtre 13 - Bibliothèque (Paris 13th)
About
Thérèse and Isabelle are two young women who discover love and physical pleasure in a boarding school in northern France. Over three nights, Thérèse—the narrator and alter ego of Violette Leduc—explores pleasure with Isabelle before being discovered and separated from her “friend” by offended adults. Bringing Thérèse et Isabelle to the stage is far from trivial. It is, first and foremost, about giving voice to a language that still seems unprecedented today. A refined language that speaks of love and the power of desire at a time when it was still dangerous to do so. A language that Simone de Beauvoir described as “restrained audacity.”
Director Marie Fortuit
Cast Louise Chevillotte, Raphaëlle Rousseau, Marine Helmlinger, Lucie Sansen
Dramaturgy Rachel de Dardel
Choreographic advice Leïla Ka
Costumes and set design Marie La Rocca
Makeup design Cécile Kretschmar
Lighting design Thomas Cottereau
Sound design Elisa Monteil
Technical direction Nicolas Ahssaine
Directing intern Lylou Lanier
Administration and distribution Olivier Talpaert / En votre Compagnie
Press Delphine Menjaud / collectif Orverjoyed
Around the show
Meeting with the artistic team
Friday, November 13 after the show
Surtitled performance
Saturday, November 14
Produced by Accès Culture
Booking via Yselle Bazin
(ysellebazin@theatre13.com – +33 1 45 88 41 89)
LSF tour
Saturday, November 14 at 4:00 PM
Booking via Yselle Bazin
(ysellebazin@theatre13.com – +33 1 45 88 41 89)
Our take on this event
Lose yourself in a magnetic stage adaptation that captures the raw, sensory intensity of forbidden first love. This is a rare chance to experience a literary masterpiece brought to life, vibrating with the courage and delicate desire of two young women defying their constraints.
From November 2 to 14, 2026, the Théâtre 13 - Bibliothèque presents Thérèse et Isabelle, a play directed by Marie Fortuit. This production follows two young women discovering love and desire within a strict boarding school, based on the writing of Violette Leduc. The performance highlights a powerful exploration of female intimacy expressed through a unique and courageous voice. The show is suitable for audiences aged 14 and older. As part of the theatre's commitment to accessibility, the final performance on Saturday, November 14, will be surtitled.
Marie Fortuit brings to the stage the story of Thérèse and Isabelle, capturing the emotional and physical awakening of two students. Through the eyes of the narrator, a character mirroring Violette Leduc, the play explores a fragile yet potent desire that challenges the norms of the time. The narrative focuses on three nights of discovery, abruptly interrupted by an adult world determined to enforce its constraints. The cast includes Louise Chevillotte, Raphaëlle Rousseau, Marine Helmlinger, and Lucie Sansen, performing within the intimate setting of the Théâtre 13 - Bibliothèque.
Performances are scheduled from November 2 to November 14, 2026. Monday through Friday shows begin at 20:00 and last approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes. The Saturday performance is held at 18:00.
To deepen the experience, an encounter with the artistic team follows the show on Friday, November 13. Additionally, on Saturday, November 14, an LSF-interpreted visit is scheduled for 16:00, followed by a surtitled performance at 18:00, provided by Accès Culture.
