Two performers come onstage to attempt to play a scene, or rather “the scene”: a customer orders a drink from a waiter. And then things go awry. Played again and again, alternating nonstop dialogue with absolute silence, “the scene” starts spinning out of control. Nightmarish spiral or grotesque farce? Roles and relationships of power flip back and forth, to the point that we no longer know who’s the victim and who’s the bully, who’s serving and who’s being served. Backstage, British director and Forced Entertainment artistic director Tim Etchells orchestrate a hilarious and explosive performance, brilliantly executed by duo Bert and Nasi. Together, the three of them play with the mechanisms of theater as much as with power relationships—but in the end, someone must pay the bill. With its repetitions and reversals, moments of rehearsed improvisation, precise writing, and mastery of the slapstick, the story takes us on a wild ride—changing, playful, and fierce. Constantly navigating between registers and genres, it opens onto an infinite variety of possibilities, reflected in the many venues this traveling show has visited.
Show performed in French with English supertitles. Duration: 1 hour, 10 minutes.
Content Advisory: Appropriate for ages 12 and up. The production contains loud noises, swearing in French, and some flashing lights (not as fast as strobing).
Presented in partnership with Festival d’Avignon 2024.
Video Interview
Tickets & Details
Reserve free tickets through University Ticketing
Performances are free and open to the public; advance tickets required.
View all French Theater Festival info
Directions
Get directions to the Wallace Theater, located on the Forum level of the Lewis Arts complex, and find other venue information for the arts complex.
Accessibility
The Wallace Theater is an accessible venue. The show will be performed in French with English supertitles.
Visit our Venues and Studios section for accessibility information about our various locations. Guests in need of access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at 609-258-5262 or email LewisCenter@princeton.edu at least one week in advance of the event date.
Media / Press
Read a New York Times review of L’Addition when presented at Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Photos from L’Addition
Photo credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Production Credits
Performed and conceived in collaboration with Bertrand Lesca, Nasi Voutsas
Conceived, written and staged by Tim Etchells
Translation by Aurélie Cotillard
Music by Graeme Miller
Stage Design by Richard Lowdon
Lighting Desing by Alex Fernandes
Assistant Director: Edward Fortes, Nicki Hobday
Production Director Léa Dony
Tour Manager Lolita Chapron
Stage Manager and Light Operator Christophe Eustache
Sound Operator Sébastien Dorne
Production Festival d’Avignon
Coproduction Grrranit Scène nationale de Belfort, Centre culturel André Malraux, Scène nationale de Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, Théâtre de la Manufacture CDN Nancy Lorraine, CCAS les activités sociales de l’énergie, Le Monfort théâtre (Paris), La Vignette Scène conventionnée Université Paul-Valéry (Montpellier), Théâtre du Bois de l’Aune (Aix-en-Provence),Théâtre de Choisy-le-Roi Scène conventionnée d’intérêt national art et création pour la diversité linguistique, Théâtre Alibi (Bastia), The Coronet Theatre (Londres), Résidence Centre social Espace Pluriel, salle de la Barbière (Avignon).
With the support of British Council for the 77th edition of the Festival d’Avignon
Residencies Centre social Espace Pluriel-salle de la Barbière (Avignon), The Coronet Theatre (London), Battersea Arts Centre (London), Toynbee Studios (London)
Photographies © Christophe Raynaud de Lage / Portrait Tim Etchells © Amy Gibs
