Portrait of Rita
Based on interviews by Rita Nkat Bayang by Laurène Marx and Bwanga Pilipili.
Named at Molières 2026, in the category Alone-en-scène.
In September 2023 Mathis, a nine-year-old school student near Charleroi, suffered the racist insults of his comrades. In response, he enters into an anger deemed uncontrollable by the school, which decides to call the police. Upon his arrival, his mother Rita discovered his son placed on the ground by a police officer.
This « sad stand-up » tells this mother’s journey, a Cameroonian businesswoman who has become a household worker and asks for an identity journey that does not belong to her. The singularity of this show lies in the encounter of three eyes: that of a mother, in the heart of history, that of an actress, herself a victim of ethno-racial discrimination and that of a trans-white actress. Three perspectives that cross, united by the same experience of fetishization and dehumanization.
« Empty tray, naked, with in the center a microphone on foot. No fireworks, nothing to comfort. We suspected, the time will be rough. Wound and bewitching. » Humanity
Author: De Laurène Marx
With: Bwanga Pilipili. Lights: Kelig The Bars. Musical direction: Laurène Marx. Musical creation: Maia Blondeau with the participation of Nils Rougé. Artistic collaboration : Jessica Guilloud. Assistant: Elsa Rayan.
Production : Hande Kader Company / Bureau des Filles*. Co-production : Théâtre Ouvert-Centre National des Dramaturgies Contemporaines, Les Quinconces et L’Espal SN du Mans, Le Festival d’Automne à Paris, Le Théâtre National Wallonie Bruxelles, Les Halles de Schaerbeek, Collectif FAIR-E CCN Rennes, Théâtre National de Strasbourg, Théâtre Sorano Scène conventionnée, Toulouse.
© Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Duration: 1h30
Price: 5€ student, 10€ personal UNICA and 15€ general public.
Named at Molières 2026, in the category Alone-en-scène.
In September 2023 Mathis, a nine-year-old school student near Charleroi, suffered the racist insults of his comrades. In response, he enters into an anger deemed uncontrollable by the school, which decides to call the police. Upon his arrival, his mother Rita discovered his son placed on the ground by a police officer.
This « sad stand-up » tells this mother’s journey, a Cameroonian businesswoman who has become a household worker and asks for an identity journey that does not belong to her. The singularity of this show lies in the encounter of three eyes: that of a mother, in the heart of history, that of an actress, herself a victim of ethno-racial discrimination and that of a trans-white actress. Three perspectives that cross, united by the same experience of fetishization and dehumanization.
« Empty tray, naked, with in the center a microphone on foot. No fireworks, nothing to comfort. We suspected, the time will be rough. Wound and bewitching. » Humanity
Author: De Laurène Marx
With: Bwanga Pilipili. Lights: Kelig The Bars. Musical direction: Laurène Marx. Musical creation: Maia Blondeau with the participation of Nils Rougé. Artistic collaboration : Jessica Guilloud. Assistant: Elsa Rayan.
Production : Hande Kader Company / Bureau des Filles*. Co-production : Théâtre Ouvert-Centre National des Dramaturgies Contemporaines, Les Quinconces et L’Espal SN du Mans, Le Festival d’Automne à Paris, Le Théâtre National Wallonie Bruxelles, Les Halles de Schaerbeek, Collectif FAIR-E CCN Rennes, Théâtre National de Strasbourg, Théâtre Sorano Scène conventionnée, Toulouse.
© Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Duration: 1h30
Price: 5€ student, 10€ personal UNICA and 15€ general public.