Marseille's Grenfell Moment: A Theatre of Catastrophe
The memory of the 2018 disaster that ravaged a Marseille neighborhood still resonates today. The collapse of two dilapidated houses on Rue d'Aubagne claimed eight lives, sparking a national outcry over urban inequality and social deprivation.
Playwright and director Mathilde Aurier's latest work, 65 Rue d'Aubagne, is a powerful exploration of the city's response to this tragedy. The play weaves together multiple perspectives and narratives, tackling themes of trauma, solidarity, and the struggle for change in the face of entrenched bureaucracy.
Aurier's fascination with catastrophe began after a chance encounter with a survivor on a Marseille beach, who shared her own story of psychological trauma. This experience sparked Aurier's interest in exploring the complexities of disaster and its aftermath, drawing inspiration from the theatre of catastrophe pioneered by British playwright Howard Barker.
For Aurier, catastrophe is a recurring theme in her work, stemming from her identity as a woman and her experiences with societal expectations. In 65 Rue d'Aubagne, she delves into the lives of residents affected by the disaster, shedding light on the struggles they faced with indifferent authorities.
The play's non-linear structure, comprising five sections that evoke the different phases of a wave's breaking, reflects the chaos and disorientation experienced by those affected. Aurier's use of language is deliberately intense, mirroring the turmoil she seeks to convey.
Aurier's involvement in 65 Rue d'Aubagne has sparked both critical acclaim and controversy. The play's development into a TV series, set to expand on the story's scope, is expected to delve deeper into the court trial that followed its creation. However, critics argue that the verdict, which handed down light prison terms and fines for those responsible, fell short of justice.
As Marseille prepares to elect its new mayor in March, Aurier's concerns about the city's housing crisis remain unresolved. Despite her own lack of expertise as an urbanist, she is clear that meaningful reform will require sustained attention from policymakers.
65 Rue d'Aubagne, currently running at Théatre de la Criée, Marseille, serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of disaster and the urgent need for collective action to address social inequality.
The memory of the 2018 disaster that ravaged a Marseille neighborhood still resonates today. The collapse of two dilapidated houses on Rue d'Aubagne claimed eight lives, sparking a national outcry over urban inequality and social deprivation.
Playwright and director Mathilde Aurier's latest work, 65 Rue d'Aubagne, is a powerful exploration of the city's response to this tragedy. The play weaves together multiple perspectives and narratives, tackling themes of trauma, solidarity, and the struggle for change in the face of entrenched bureaucracy.
Aurier's fascination with catastrophe began after a chance encounter with a survivor on a Marseille beach, who shared her own story of psychological trauma. This experience sparked Aurier's interest in exploring the complexities of disaster and its aftermath, drawing inspiration from the theatre of catastrophe pioneered by British playwright Howard Barker.
For Aurier, catastrophe is a recurring theme in her work, stemming from her identity as a woman and her experiences with societal expectations. In 65 Rue d'Aubagne, she delves into the lives of residents affected by the disaster, shedding light on the struggles they faced with indifferent authorities.
The play's non-linear structure, comprising five sections that evoke the different phases of a wave's breaking, reflects the chaos and disorientation experienced by those affected. Aurier's use of language is deliberately intense, mirroring the turmoil she seeks to convey.
Aurier's involvement in 65 Rue d'Aubagne has sparked both critical acclaim and controversy. The play's development into a TV series, set to expand on the story's scope, is expected to delve deeper into the court trial that followed its creation. However, critics argue that the verdict, which handed down light prison terms and fines for those responsible, fell short of justice.
As Marseille prepares to elect its new mayor in March, Aurier's concerns about the city's housing crisis remain unresolved. Despite her own lack of expertise as an urbanist, she is clear that meaningful reform will require sustained attention from policymakers.
65 Rue d'Aubagne, currently running at Théatre de la Criée, Marseille, serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of disaster and the urgent need for collective action to address social inequality.
... I mean, cant we just call it what it is? A cover up? 
The way Aurier is tackling this topic in her play is so on point, but some ppl r still tryna spin it to avoid accountability. Marseille needs change ASAP, and thats exactly whats happening with the election of a new mayor 
. But its not just about voting for someone new, its about making sure our leaders actually listen to us and take action to fix these systemic problems 
. We need more voices like Auriers speaking truth to power 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to write about a catastrophe that shook an entire city? 
It's like, you can feel the energy of the disaster, even though it happened years ago. The way the writer, Mathilde Aurier, weaves together all these different stories and perspectives is just mind-blowing 
. I'm still trying to process everything, but one thing that really got me was how the city's response (or lack thereof) affected the people who lived through it 
. It's like, we can talk about reform and social inequality all we want, but what do we actually do? 
I'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit worried about Marseille's upcoming election... 
does anyone think they'll be able to make meaningful changes? 
and the fact that the authorities didn't do enough to prevent it or punish those responsible? ugh, still gets me mad 
but at the same time, the playwright's experience with a survivor and her story of trauma kinda makes sense. like, how can you not be drawn into that kinda stuff? 
anyway, i'm curious about this tv series adaptation... will it really give justice to the victims and their families or just perpetuate more drama 
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." 
65 Rue d'Aubagne is more than just a play, it's a wake-up call 
Marseille needs real change, not just empty promises 
The current mayor may be elected soon, but will they address the root of the problem? 
.
It's all so frustrating, you know?
i wish more people were talking about the housing crisis in marseille it's crazy that it still exists and is affecting people's lives in such a big way 
. I mean, who needs more plays about gentrification and systemic racism when there are stories like this one that need to be told? 
The fact that she's speaking out against the lenient verdict for those responsible is super brave 
. Can't wait to see how the TV series turns out! 
anyway, just had to share my thoughts on this amazing play 
. I mean, think about it, if there were more politicians willing to stand up for the little guy, maybe we wouldn't see these kinds of tragedies happening in the first place 
.
. We need more people like her who aren't afraid to speak truth to power and demand change 
.
. Otherwise, we'll just keep seeing plays like 65 Rue d'Aubagne serve as a reminder of what could have been done differently 
.
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. This theatre play about Grenfell is so raw & emotional it's giving me all the feels 
! We need more voices like hers in our communities making a difference 
!
. The fact that she's exploring themes of trauma, solidarity, and change in the face of bureaucracy is SO needed right now 
.