Catalan National Theatre director opens Comédie-Française season in Paris

Carme Portaceli, artistic director of Catalan National Theatre (TNC), says "it's a dream" to open the Comédie-Française season at Paris's Théâtre de l'Athénée with The Maids.

Speaking to the Catalan News Agency (ACN) ahead of opening night on Thursday, she praised the "supernatural level" of the actresses from one of France's and the world's "most prestigious" theatre companies.

Portaceli said that when she was first contacted about directing the play, she thought she was dreaming and would eventually wake up.

The Maids tells the story of two maids, Clara and Solange, and their mistress. The workers, who are also sisters, engage in a role-playing game in which Clara plays 'Madame' and Solange plays her sister.

Portaceli says the play is about "three women shut in," mentally and emotionally, leading them to "play dangerous games." 

The Valencian director says the protagonists consume "filthy pornography" because they pursue what they do not have in the hope of being happy.

The production marks the start of the Comédie-Française’s 2026-27 season and will run until October 25 at the Théâtre de l’Athénée, the same theatre was where Louis Jouvet first staged the play in 1947, with its author, Jean Genet, in attendance. 

The TNC said Portaceli's Paris premiere was a source of pride for the institution and demonstrated the value her work has brought to Catalan theatre since 2021.

Catalan President Salvador Illa attended the Paris premiere, calling it a milestone that demonstrates the strength of Catalan theatre.