Presentation
It was with Tempête sous un crâne, adapted from Les Misérables, that he first gained recognition in France fifteen years ago. Published in 1869, The Man Who Laughs is Hugo’s penultimate novel and perhaps one of his most singular and least-known works. Philosophical, historical and dramatic, it places the question of social justice at its heart. Hugo’s genius lies in combining epic scale and emotional intensity with a deeply moving sincerity.
To tell the improbable story of a young English lord kidnapped and disfigured by child traffickers before being taken in by a wandering performer who is both philosopher and misanthrope, Jean Bellorini assembles a chorus of actors who could each, in their own way, embody the novel. The characters are then free to emerge, born from dreams and the immaterial.
Platforms, theatrical artifices, music and song are all summoned in a celebration of theatre itself. The production reminds us that appearances are deceptive, that laughter is never far from tears, and that human beings may behave like beasts while wolves can sometimes reveal the wisdom of sages.
Directed by Jean Bellorini
To 5 MAY 2027
Saturday– Sunday at 17h
Distribution & Credits
With
Freshta Akbari
Émilie Blaser
Vincent Bonillo
Lionel Brady
Anna Budde
Antoine Courvoisier
Nathalie Cuenet
Mathieu Delmonté
Christian Scheidt
Mykyta Skrypka
Barbara Tobola
Damien Zanoly
From the novel by
Victor Hugo
Adaptation
Jean Bellorini
Camille de La Guillonnière
Directed by
Jean Bellorini
Scenography and lights
Jean Bellorini
Lights assistant
Mathilde Foltier-Gueydan
Musical composition
Clément Griffault
Sound
Sébastien Trouvé
Costumes
Macha Makeïeff
Hair and make-up
Cécile Kretschmar
Created on 13 April 2027 at Théâtre de Carouge
Production Théâtre de Carouge
Coproduction Compagnie Air de Lune, Théâtre National Populaire
Next shows
Access
Adress
Théâtre de Carouge
Rue Ancienne 37 A
1227 Carouge
Public Parking
Rue Joseph-Girard 15
1227 carouge
By public transport
Arrêt Carouge-Rondeau
Bus: 21, 22, 41, 42, 44, 45
Carouge-Tours Stop
Bus: 11, 21, 23, 41, 44, 45
Carouge-Ancienne Stop
Tram: 12, 18
Your journey (tpg)
Opening hours
Ticket office
Du mardi au vendredi 10h-16h
Main Room
From Tuesday to Friday at 19h30
Saturday and Sunday at 17h
Small Room
From Tuesday to Friday at 20h
Saturday and Sunday at 17h30
Main ROOm
There are wheelchair spaces in the Main room. These seats are at either end of row D at the back of the auditorium. Row D can be accessed directly from the ground floor. The theatre may add further seats, subject to availability.
Seating Plan
Small Room
In the Small room, there are two wheelchair spaces in the front row. The theatre can provide additional spaces subject to availability. These are accessed directly from the ground floor.
Initiative OK:GO
The Théâtre de Carouge is taking part in the OK:GO initiative.
Find out more about our accessibility measures on ginto.
Réserver une place
To ensure we can give you the best possible welcome and guarantee a seat for you and your companion, it is essential that you inform the theatre at the time of booking, at least one day before the performance.
To book seats, please contact the ticket office directly.
By email: billetterie@theatredecarouge.ch
By phone: +41 22 343 43 43
On site: Rue Ancienne 37 A, Carouge
From Tuesday to Friday 12h-18h
Saturday 10h-14h
SUBTITLES TABLETS
Subtitles are available on tablets loaned free of charge.
They are very easy to use, and you can read the subtitles from anywhere in the auditorium.
SUBTITLES DATES
The Glass Menagerie
10 October et 13 October 2026
The Marriage Proposal and The Bear
3 November and 21 November 2026
Kiss & Cry
28 November and 1st December 2026
The Man Who Laughs
30 April and 1st May 2027
In partnership with Écoute Voir :
Thank you for the fish knife, the conversations and the delicious ham dishes
9 February and 21 March 2027
Dom Juan
16 January and 19 January 2027
Book a tablet
Book your ticket for a show with subtitles.
When booking, please let the ticket office know that you need a tablet
By email : billetterie@theatredecarouge.ch
By phone : +41 22 343 43 43
On site : Rue Ancienne 37 A, Carouge
From Tuesday to Friday 12h-18h
Sartuday 10h-14h
30 minutes before the show, ask for the tablet at reception in exchange for your ID
After the show, please return the tablet to reception and collect your ID
Dates
In partnership with Résonance Art Accessible :
The Glass Menagerie
16 October et 17 October 2026
The Man Who Laughs
17 April and 18 April 2027
In partnership with Écoute Voir :
Dom Juan
17 January 2027
Good to know
To ensure we can give you the best possible welcome and guarantee a seat for you and your companion or dog, it is essential that you inform the Theatre at the time of booking or, at the latest, one day before the performance.
For the companion of a blind or visually impaired person, admission is free for all performances, even those without audio description.
Guide dogs are permitted at performances, subject to availability.
Book
The Glass Menagerie and The Man Who Laughs
resonanceartaccessible@gmail.com
+41 78 672 44 98
Dom Juan
ad@ecoute-voir.org
+41 79 893 26 15
Book a baby-sitter
In partnership with La Croix Rouge genevoise, we offer a childminding service in your own home whilst you are out at the theatre.
Instructions :
- Buy two full-price tickets for a performance.
- Complete this form
- We send you a list of La Croix Rouge babysitters.
- Get in touch with a babysitter from the list and arrange a meeting.
- When the babysitter arrives, you ask them to complete this care agreement form that you sign after.
- Please send a scan of the completed and signed form before to accessibilite@theatredecarouge.ch
- Pay the babysitter when you get home for all the hours worked.
- The Théâtre de Carouge will pay a flat rate of CHF 45 into your account, equivalent to 3 hours’ childcare.
- For your information, La Croix Rouge recommends the following minimum hourly rates:
For an evening out (when the children are usually ready for bed): - CHF 16.- This rate applies to 1 to 3 children. For 4 or more children, a second babysitter may be required, depending on the children’s ages.
- The signed form must be submitted before the end of the run of the relevant show.
Documents to download
Babysitter request form
Terms and Conditions
Care agreement form
The Théâtre de Carouge is offering a package for CHF 45.- (equivalent to 3 hours of childcare provided by a babysitter from la Croix-Rouge Genevoise).
This offer is valid only for performances during the Théâtre de Carouge’s season. Performances at partner festivals, concerts or other non-season-ticket events taking place in our venues are not eligible.
