Photo : Simon Gosselin
I Expect Little, I Aspire to Much, Hugues Duchêne
After confronting the “Macron years” in I’m Leaving But the State Remains and exploring the revolutionary period with The Abolition of Privileges , Hugues Duchêne returns to the Théâtre 13 for a new narrative, this time conjugating French politics in the future tense.
Théâtre 13 - Bibliothèque (Paris 13th)
About
What will happen in France over the next 50 years? I Expect Little, I Aspire to Much follows the journey of Arthur Cagniot-Duchêne, from age 10 to 60, through the political developments of the country between 2027 and 2077. How will the Fifth Republic end? And the Sixth? Will the Seventh last longer? What might a law on emotional and sexual equality look like? What kind of agriculture can we imagine on a planet that is running out of breath? Faced with the procession of our uncertainties, this science-political-fiction show proposes to look our fears in the face, to consider the worst as well as the best, and to plow the field of possibilities to break with the prevailing passivity.
Text and direction Hugues Duchêne
With Hugues Duchêne, Eric Frey, Margaux Le Mignan, Maxime Pambet and Céline Samie
Artistic collaboration and video creation Pierre Martin Oriol
Scenography, costumes and general stage management Julie Camus
Lighting design Gwenaëlle Krier
Musical and sound design Martin Hennart
Stage and video management Jérémie Dubois
Assistant to the director Victor Guillemot
Voice-over Maxime Guyon
Administration, production, distribution and development Les singulières – Léa Serror, Louise Gadin and Caroline Simonin
Public relations Margaux Licois
Press relations Francesca Magni
Around the show
Meeting with the artistic team
Friday, November 27 after the show
Our take on this event
Forget history books and step into a sharp science-fiction political drama that maps out France from 2027 to 2077. Through the life of one man, the stage comes alive with the wildest, most plausible possibilities for the next half-century of our society. It is a thought-provoking, energetic production that challenges you to face our collective future without blinking.
Experience a thought-provoking journey through the next 50 years of French history in J’attends peu, j’aspire à beaucoup, a science-political fiction play by Hugues Duchêne. Hosted at the Théâtre 13 - Bibliothèque from November 25 to December 11, 2026, this performance examines the political and ecological trajectory of the country through the life of Arthur Cagniot-Duchêne, from age 10 to 60. By confronting fears and envisioning potential futures, the play challenges the audience to move beyond passive observation. This production is recommended for ages 15 and up and requires tickets for entry.
Written and directed by Hugues Duchêne, this play explores the transformation of France between 2027 and 2077. It scrutinizes the potential decline of the Fifth Republic and the hypothetical emergence of subsequent regimes, while addressing vital topics such as affective equality and environmental survival. The cast, including Hugues Duchêne, Eric Frey, Margaux Le Mignan, Maxime Pambet, and Céline Samie, brings this speculative narrative to life.
The event takes place at the Théâtre 13 - Bibliothèque in the 13th arrondissement. Shows are scheduled from November 25 to December 11, 2026, at 20:00 on weekdays and at 18:00 on Saturdays. The performance is a ticketed event for audiences aged 15 and over. Additionally, theatergoers are invited to an exclusive post-show meeting with the artistic team on Friday, November 27.
